DEARBORN 

Catalogue  of  a  Collection  of 
Birds  from  Guatemala 


QL 
687 
G9 
D42 


FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY. 

PUBLICATION  125. 
ORNITHOLOGICAL  SERIES.  VOL.  i,  No.  3. 


CATALOGUE  OF  A  COLLECTION 
OF  BIRDS  FROM  GUATEMALA 


NED  DEARBORN, 

Assistant  Curator  of  Ornithology. 


RLES  B.  CORY,  Curator  of  Department  of  Zoology. 


CHICAGO,  U.  S.  A. 
November,  1907. 


FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY. 


ORNITHOLOGY,  VOL.  I,   PLATE  I. 


FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY. 

PUBLICATION   125. 
ORNITHOLOGICAL  SERIES.  VOL.  i,  No.  3. 


CATALOGUE  OF  A  COLLECTION 
OF  BIRDS  FROM  GUATEMALA 

BY 

NED  DEARBORN, 
z\ssistant  Curator  of  Ornithology. 

CHARLES  B.  CORY,   Curator  of  Department  of  Zoology. 


CHICAGO,  U.  S.  A. 

November,   1907. 


CATALOGUE  OF  A   COLLECTION  OF   BIRDS  FROM 
GUATEMALA 


BY  NED  DEARBORN 


The  collection  of  birds  treated  in  this  paper  was  derived  from 
three  sources.  Messrs.  Edmund  Heller  and  Charles  M.  Barber,  who 
spent  the  winter  of  1904-5  in  Guatemala  making  general  collections 
for  the  Department  of  Zoology,  supplied  49;  Mr.  Barber,  who  con- 
tinued the  general  collecting  the  following  year,  furnished  138;  and 
the  writer,  making  birds  his  chief  object,  collected  1,000  during  the 
early  part  of  the  year  1906.  The  total  number,  then,  is  1,187,  com- 
prising 305  species  and  subspecies,  mostly  skins,  though  several 
skeletons  and  alcoholic  specimens  are  included.  All  localities  repre- 
sented by  specimens  are  indicated  on  the  accompanying  map,  which 
also  shows  the  route  followed  by  the  writer. 

This  route,  for  the  most  part,  was  the  line  of  least  resistance. 
From  Puerto  Barrios,  the  port  of  entry,  to  El  Rancho,  the  Guatemala 
Northern  R.  R.  furnished  convenient  transportation;  and  from 
Guatemala  City  to  Mazatenango  and  San  Jose",  by  way  of  Esquintla, 
the  Guatemala  Central  R.  R.  was  employed.  Between  El  Rancho 
and  Guatemala  City,  and  from  Patulul  to  Tecpam  and  back  to 
Guatemala  City,  it  was  necessary  to  go  on  horseback,  pack  horses  or 
Indians  being  employed  to  carry  luggage,  according  to  which  hap- 
pened to  be  the  more  convenient.  As  a  rule,  however,  an  Indian  mozo 
is  preferable  to  a  horse  as  a  carrier  for  packages  of  100  pounds  or  less. 

The  localities  visited  and  the  days  spent  in  collecting  at  each, 
are  as  follows:  El  Rancho,  January  4th  to  nth;  Los  Amates,  Jan- 
uary 1 5th  to  February  9th;  Puerto  Barrios,  February  i2th;  Gualan, 
February  1 4th  to  lyth;  Lake  Amatitlan,  February  24th  to  ayth; 
San  Jose",  March  5th  to  9th;  Mazatenango,  March  i5th  to  2ist;  Pa- 
tulul, March  23d  to  April  5th;  Lake  Atitlan,  April  7th  to  loth; 
Tecpam,  April  nth  to  isth.  The  physical  aspects  of  these  places, 
and  the  conditions  encountered  at  each  of»them,  have  such  a  bearing 
on  the  collection  that  a  prefatory  word  concerning  them  is  not  im- 
pertfnent. 

El  Rancho,  the  first  stopping  place,  has  an  elevation  of  about 
1,000  feet.  Its  dry  season  is  long,  and  the  rainy  season  is  somewhat 
uncertain.  In  January  the  earth  presents  a  baked  appearance. 

69 


70  FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY — ORNITHOLOGY,  VOL.  I. 

Cacti  are  common,  and  away  from  the  river  very  few  trees  have 
foliage.  By  ascending  the  mountains  to  the  north  of  the  town, 
green  trees  and  brooks  of  cool  water  may  be  found,  but  these  all 
disappear  long  before  reaching  the  valley.  Perhaps  the  most  striking 
object  in  the  landscape  of  the  valley  is  the  tree  cactus  (Cereus), 
which  is  the  especial  home  of  the  Santa  Cruz  woodpecker  (C.  sancta- 
cruzi]  and  the  cactus  wren  (H.  capistratus) .  Its  fruit  is  much  sought 
by  orioles  and  the  long-tailed  jays.  Birds  were  fairly  abundant. 
In  addition  to  the  species  secured  here,  may  be  mentioned  the  man- 
grove swallow  (7.  albilinea)  and  the  killdeer  (0.  vociferus),  neither 
of  which  is  represented  in  the  collection. 

Los  Amates,  elevation  about  60  feet,  is  in  the  rubber  country. 
The  village  is  on  the  bank  of  the  Motagua  River,  and  the  region 
immediately  surrounding  it  is  densely  covered  with  a  great  variety 
of  vegetation.  It  is  practically  useless  to  attempt  to  collect  away 
from  the  railroad  or  a  path  of  some  sort.  Two  weeks  were  spent  at 
Finca  Chapulco,  a  rubber  plantation,  three  or  four  miles  from  the 
village.  Mr.  William  McFarlane,  manager  of  this  estate,  is  not 
only  a  good  host  but  a  most  agreeable  companion,  and  the  stay  there 
was  pleasant  as  well  as  profitable, —  notwithstanding  the  rain  which 
fell  twelve  out  of  the  fourteen  days.  This  region,  away  from  the 
river,  offers  occasional  ridges  covered  with  pine  (P.  caribaea),  and 
also  open  savannas  bearing  a  coarse  grass  as  high  as  one's  head. 
Many  species  of  birds  occur,  but  few  of  them  are  abundant,  and  the 
rank  nature  of  the  vegetation  makes  collecting  rather  slow. 

Puerto  Barrios  was  visited  in  February  for  the  purpose  of  sending 
specimens  to  Chicago.  The  steamer  was  a  day  late,  and  an  attempt 
was  made  to  do  some  collecting.  The  place  is  a  swamp,  the  only 
way  out  being  over  the  railway.  Birds  were  scarce  and  well  nigh 
impossible  to  obtain. 

Gualan  is  at  the  head  of  canoe  navigation  on  the  Motagua  River, 
and  just  within  the  limits  of  the  semi-arid  area  which  extends  up  the 
Motagua  Valley  far  beyond  El  Rancho.  Its  altitude  is  about  250 
feet.  Its  proximity  to  the  swamp  country  makes  it  a  particularly 
good  collecting  ground,  inasmuch  as  both  lowland  and  upland  species 
are  to  be  found,  and  in  winter  there  are  comparatively  few  obstruc- 
tions to  travel  in  any  direction.  The  way  from  El  Rancho  to  Guate- 
mala City  is  mountainous,  and  until  the  Pacific  side  of  the  divide 
was  reached,  perhaps  20  miles  northeast  of  the  city,  very  few  birds 
were  seen. 

The  collecting  at  Lake  Amatitlan  was  in  the  neighborhood  of 


Nov.   1907.        BIRDS  FROM  GUATEMALA — DEARBORN  71 

the  narrow  part  of  the  lake,  where  the  railroad  crosses  it.  The 
altitude  is  about  4,000  feet.  The  depth  of  the  lake  is  about  100  feet, 
deep  water  extending  to  within  a  few  feet  of  the  shore.  A  number 
of  hot  springs  are  located  along  the  southern  margin.  Excepting 
where  erosion  has  cut  down  the  side  of  a  mountain  and  filled  a  portion 
of  the  lake,  the  strip  of  shore  is  narrow, —  in  places  there  are  sheer 
ascents  from  the  water.  Green  vegetation  was  confined  to  the 
lake  shore,  and  practically  all  bird  life  was  near  the  water.  A  num- 
ber of  species  not  encountered  on  the  Atlantic  slope  were  collected 
here.  The  jay  (C.  melanocyanea)  and  the  sparrow  (M.  biarcuatum) 
were  the  two  most  striking  species,  both  being  new  and  abundant. 

San  Jose  was  the  next  locality  visited.  The  heat  here  was  so 
great  that  it  was  found  necessary  to  retreat  to  the  highlands  to 
recuperate,  at  the  end  of  five  days.  It  is  a  good  collecting  ground, 
however.  The  lagoons  teem  with  wading  birds,  and  in  the  woods 
were  found  a  number  of  forms  not  taken  elsewhere.  Near  the  beach 
were  found  a  number  of  species  peculiar  to  mangrove  swamps,  while 
the  woods  farther  inland  were  well  tenanted  with  birds,  and  not 
too  hard  to  get  through. 

Mazatenango  and  Patulul  are  similarly  situated,  their  altitude 
being  about  1,800  feet.  This  region  is  watered  by  numerous  streams 
from  the  Cordilleras  and  is  largely  under  cultivation,  sugar  and 
coffee  being  the  staple  products.  The  forests  contain  some  of  the 
finest  trees  that  were  seen  anywhere,  and  where  the  underbrush  has 
been  removed  for  planting  coffee,  finer  conditions  for  collecting  can 
scarcely  be  imagined.  The  writer  joined  Mr.  Barber  at  Patulul  and 
continued  in  his  good  company  till  the  work  was  ended  at  Tecpam. 
We  were  especially  fortunate  at  Patulul  in  not  only  being  granted  the 
privilege  of  hunting  on  property  of  the  land  holders,  but  furthermore, 
in  being  entertained  by  them.  Sr.  Don  Guillermo  Peitzener,  pro- 
prietor of  Finca  San  Julian,  a  sugar  plantation,  accorded  us  full 
home  privileges,  with  every  convenience  amply  provided.  Birds 
were  plentiful,  and  the  collection  grew  rapidly  there  in  such  species 
as  inhabit  cultivated  land.  When  we  wished  to  work  the  woodland 
forms,  we  were  given  an  equally  cordial  welcome  at  the  coffee  plan- 
tation known  as  Finca  San  Fernando,  by  its  owner,  Sr.  Don  Frederico 
Miiller- Winter  and  his  gracious  and  accomplished  wife.  When 
we  came  to  this  place  after  a  ride  on  horseback  over  a  narrow  trail 
for  several  miles  through  the  forest,  we  named  it  Paradise,  and  still 
hold  that  it  is  a  credit  to  the  name.  Here  is  a  home  so  remote  from 
commercial  hurry,  that  nervous  wrack  is  unthinkable.  A  mountain, 


72  FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  — ORNITHOLOGY,  VOL.  I. 

with  its  base  at  the  very  door,  on  the  one  hand,  a  stream  of 
water  on  the  other,  a  closer  environment  of  useful  and  ornamental 
trees  and  herbs,  seclusion,  books,  a  piano,  a  table  well  supplied  from 
two  continents, —  finding  all  this  at  San  Fernando,  and  enjoying  it, 
we  voted  down  the  "Swiss  Family  Robinson"  and  set  up  a  real  ideal. 

The  north  shore  of  Lake  Atitlan,  near  Panajachel,  which  was  our 
next  stopping  place,  is  too  precipitous  to  follow,  except  where  two 
small  streams  have  worn  out  short  valleys  and  made  a  little  alluvial 
soil.  Bird  life  was  confined  almost  entirely  to  these  valleys  and  the 
lake,  which  is  about  5,000  feet  above  the  sea,  and  has  a  depth  of 
about  i.ooo  feet.  Here  we  first  saw  the  mockingbird  (M.  g.  guate- 
malensis] ,  the  whippoorwill  (A .  chiapensis) ,  the  grebe  (C.  d.  brachyp- 
terus)  and  the  fine,  large  humming-bird  (C.  rufus).  We  took  two 
days  for  the  journey  from  the  lake  to  Tecpam,  in  order  that  we  might 
collect  some  things  that  we  had  been  unable  to  obtain  previously. 
Several  miles  of  this  road  follow  a  barranca  having  a  stream  at  the 
bottom,  and  its  sides  well  wooded  with  oak  and  pine.  In  this  place 
we  secured  the  ant-eating  woodpecker  (M.  formicivorous] ,  the  black- 
eared  bushtit  (P.  melanotis)  and  the  swift  (S.  zonaris).  The  altitude 
of  this  gorge  is  about  6,500  feet. 

The  region  about  Tecpam  presents  a  striking  contrast,  in  both 
fauna  and  flora,  to  the  lowlands.  In  the  vicinity  of  the  town 
the  land  is  mainly  under  cultivation,  but  towards  the  northwest,  only 
a  few  miles  away,  rises  Sierra  Santa  Elena  to  the  height  of  about 
10,000  feet,  covered  with  forest  to  its  summit.  The  altitude  of  the 
town  is  about  7,500  feet.  As  one  ascends  the  mountain  he  finds 
the  long-leaved  pine  to  be  the  common  tree  between  8,000  and  9,000 
feet,  but  above  the  latter  elevation  cypress  trees  exclude  all  other 
varieties.  We  passed  a  night  and  a  day  as  guests  of  Sr.  Don  Guil- 
lermo  Thorn,  who  lives  on  the  mountain  at  about  9,500  feet,  and  is 
the  only  practical  forester  in  the  republic.  Here,  again,  we  found 
a  real  home,  having  all  the  comforts  desired  by  refined  people,  in 
the  heart  of  a  cypress  forest  five  days'  journey  by  ox-team  from  the 
source  of  supplies,  Guatemala  City.  Here  we  found  the  junco  (/. 
alticola),  the  kinglet  (R.  s.  darus),  the  green  toucan  (.4.  prasinus), 
the  thrush  (C.  f.  alticola} ,  the  red  warbler  (E.  versicolor]  and  other 
species  not  seen  elsewhere.  The  cypress  woods  are  quite  impene- 
trable without  an  ax.  Fallen  trees,  thick  bushes  and  long  dripping 
moss  make  it  almost  impossible  to  move  out  of  the  cleared  paths.  A 
longer  stay  at  Tecpam  would  have  been  profitable,  but  three  days 
were  all  that  could  be  spared  for  it. 


Nov.  1907.      BIRDS  FROM  GUATEMALA  —  DEARBORN.  73 

Thanks  are  due,  and  are  hereby  heartily  rendered,  to  Mr.  F.  G. 
Williamson,  General  Manager  of  the  Guatemala  Northern  R.  R.,  and 
Col.  W.  P.  Tisdel,  Assistant  Manager  of  the  Guatemala  Central  R.  R., 
for  assistance  in  transportation;  to  Consul  General  Winslow  and 
Vice  Consul  Owen,  both  of  whom  did  all  in  their  power  to  give  assist- 
ance, which  on  at  least  one  occasion  was  sorely  needed;  and  to  Mr. 
William  Mac  Farlane,  Sr.  Don  Guillermo  Peitzener,  Sr.  Don  Frederico 
Miiller- Winter  and  Sr.  Don  Guillermo  Thorn  for  hunting  privileges 
and  hospitality. 

It  is  also  a  pleasure  to  acknowledge  the  kindness  of  Dr.  J.  A.  Allen, 
of  the  American  Museum  of  Natural  History  of  New  York,  Prof. 
Robert  Ridgway,  of  the  Smithsonian  Institution,  and  Dr.  C.  Hart 
Merriam,  Chief  of  the  Biological  Survey  at  Washington,  in  allowing 
specimens  to  be  sent  from  the  collections  in  their  charge  to  aid  in 
the  study  of  this  collection;  and  to  Mr.  E.  W.  Nelson,  Chief  Field 
Naturalist  of  the  Biological  Survey,  whose  knowledge  of  the  birds 
of  Mexico  is  unequaled,  for  advice  on  several  doubtful  points. 

In  the  following  notes,  particular  attention  has  been  given  to  dates 
of  capture  of  such  specimens  as  were  migrants  from  North  America, 
and  to  all  cases  of  moulting.  There  are  few  data  published  relating 
to  the  time  when  such  birds  as  have  -a  distinctive  nuptial  plumage 
acquire  it.  It  may  be  here  remarked,  that  the  resident  birds  were 
very  rarely  found  to  show  any  signs  of  a  spring  moult,  while  the 
migrants  taken  in  April  and  the  latter  part  of  March,  as  a  rule  were 
putting  out  new  feathers.  Cases  of  individual  variation  have  been 
mentioned,  and,  while  the  naturalist  bent  on  collecting,  finds  scant 
time  to  study  habits,  such  as  were  apparent  have  been  recorded. 
Colors  are  designated,  as  far  as  possible,  according  to  Ridgway's 
Nomenclature  of  Colors. 


Family     Podicipeclidse. 

1.  Colymbus  dominicus  brachypterus   Chapman. 

Seven  specimens  were  taken  at  Lake  Atitlan  between  March  4th 
and  April  gth.  Only  one  of  them,  a  female,  was  in  nuptial  plumage. 
Two  other  females,  which  were  assuming  the  breeding  dress,  had  the 
chin  white  and  the  throat  black;  showing  that  the  progress  of  moult 
on  this  area  is  towards  the  bill.  One  of  the  males  had  shed  all  the 
primaries  of  both  wings,  the  pins  for  the  new  primaries  being  about 


74  FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ORNITHOLOGY,  VOL.  I. 

5  mm.  in  length.  None  of  the  other  specimens  show  any  lack  of 
primaries.  These  little  grebes  were  found  in  company  with  C.  n. 
californicus  and  rarely  strayed  from  a  patch  of  floating  vegetation. 
Iris  yellow  near  the  pupil,  changing  to  orange  at  the  periphery. 

2.  Colymbus  nigricollis  californicus  (Heermann). 

Three  were  collected  at  Lake  Amatitlan  and  five  at  Lake  Atitlan. 
They  were  common  at  the  latter  lake  March  2oth.  Those  taken  at 
Lake  Amatitlan  (Feb.  24)  were  all  in  winter  plumage.  A  male  taken 
by  Mr.  Barber  at  Lake  Atitlan  (Feb.  23)  has  the  throat  black,  only 
the  cheeks  and  chin  remaining  white,  yet  no  sign  of  the  ochraceus 
postocular  tufts  is  visible.  The  lesser  wing  coverts  of  this  specimen 
are  tinged  with  light  bay,  and  another  male  taken  a  day  earlier  had 
this  color  on  all  the  upper  wing  coverts,  the  majority  of  the  lesser 
coverts  being  entirely  bay,  while  the  greater  coverts  were  only  spotted 
with  it  at  the  tip.  Bay  wing  coverts  are  evidently  an  individual 
variation  of  rather  uncommon  occurrence.  A  male  and  a  female 
taken  the  2oth  and  i5th  of  March  respectively,  are  nearly  in  full 
plumage,  the  former  having  a  sprinkling  of  dark  bay  across  the 
lower  part  of  the  foreneck,  not  found  on  any  other  specimen.  Iris 
flame-scarlet  near  pupil,  fading  outwardly  to  white. 


Family    Pelecaiiiclre. 

3.  Pelecanus  californicus  Ridgway. 

A  single  specimen  was  secured  from  a  small  flock  that  daily 
appeared  along  the  beach  at  San  Jose.  This  was  an  immature 
female. 


Family    Aiiaticla*. 

4.  Querquedula  discors  (Linnxus). 

A  single  female  was  taken  by  Mr.  Barber  (Feb.  23d)  at  Lake 
Atitlan.  None  were  found  on  Lake  Amatitlan  the  last  week  in  Feb- 
ruary. The  deep  waters  of  these  lakes  may  not  afford  good  feeding 
grounds  for  them.  At  all  events  they  were  scarce. 


Nov.   1907.       BIRDS  FROM  GUATEMALA  —  DEARBORN.  75 


Family    Ardeiclse. 

5.  Heterocnus  cabanisi  Heine. 

One  of  these  bitterns  was  shot  beside  a  brook  in  a  growth  of 
heavy  timber  near  Los  Amates.  Another  was  flushed  from  a  wet 
place  out  in  an  open  savanna  where  grass  grew  high  as  one's  head. 
Iris  yellow;  throat  yellow;  ocular  and  loral  area,  greenish  yellow. 

6.  Cochlearis  zeledoni  (Ridgway). 

Two  birds  of  this  species  were  discovered  in  a  large,  densely  foli- 
aged  tree  standing  on  the  bank  of  the  Motagua  river  at  Gualan.  One 
of  them  was  secured;  no  others  were  seen.  The  land  in  this  vicinity 
is  high  and  rolling  and  offers  no  other  feeding  place  for  herons  than 
the  shores  of  the  river,  which  are  rather  abrupt. 

7.  Butorides  virescens  (Linnceus). 

This  species  was  found  generally  distributed,  but  nowhere  abun- 
dant. One  specimen  was  procured  at  Los  Amates  and  another  at 

Lake  Atitlan. 


Family   Rallidse. 

8.  Porzana  Carolina  (Linnaeus). 

Three  of  this  species  were  taken  at  Lake  Atitlan  between  Feb- 
ruary 23d  and  March  pth,  and  one  at  Lake  Amatitlan  February  6th. 
All  had  black  throats,  only  one  having  this  color  intermixed  with 
gray.  A  narrow  fringe  of  rushes  along  the  shores  of  these  lakes  is 
all  the  shelter  rails  can  find,  and  it  is  not  surprising  that  they  appear 
to  winter  there  in  small  numbers. 

9.  Qallinula  galeata  (Lichtensteiri) . 

The  only  specimen  of  this  gallinule,  that  was  seen,  was  taken  at 
Lake  Amatitlan  February  26th.  It  was  in  a  patch  of  rushes  on  the 
shore  of  the  lake  near  a  thermal  spring  where  the  water  is  always 
quite  warm. 

10.  Fulica  americana  (Gmeliri). 

Hundreds  of  these  birds  throng  near  the  shores  of  lakes  Amatitlan 
and  Atitlan  all  winter.  Only  three  specimens  were  taken. 


76  FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY— ORNITHOLOGY,  VOL.  I. 


Family  Heliomithidse. 

11.  Heliornis  fulica  (Boddaert}. 

A  single  specimen,  the  only  one  seen,  was  obtained  in  a  small  but 
rather  swift  tributary  of  the  Motagua  river  near  Los  Amates.  It 
acted  very  much  like  a  grebe,  diving  and  trying  to  make  its  escape 
under  water,  though  it  did  not  stay  down  long  at  a  time.  Its  stomach 
contained  aquatic  insects.  Iris  deep  brown. 


Family  Scolopacidse. 

12.  Actitis  macularias  (Linn&us). 

Two  specimens  were  secured  at  Lake  Atitlan,  one  on  February 
27th,  the  other  April  8th.  The  latter  had  the  outer  primary  of  each 
wing  about  half  grown;  the  other  remiges  are  full-grown  and  un- 
abraded.  Along  the  flanks  of  this  specimen  are  a  few  spotted  feathers, 
not  yet  fully  developed,  otherwise  the  under  parts  are  in  winter  con- 
dition —  unspotted.  Excepting  the  nape,  the  upper  parts  are 
freshly  moulted.  The  February  specimen  has  worn  plumage  through- 
out. This  species  was  also  seen  at  El  Rancho  and  Lake  Amatitlan, 
but  was  not  common  anywhere. 

13.  Helodromus  solitarius  (Wilson). 

One  specimen  of  this  species  was  taken  at  Los  Amates  February 
2d,  but  it  was  ruined  by  ants.  None  were  seen  elsewhere. 

14.  Actodromus  minutilla  (Vieillof). 

A  pair  of  this  species  was  secured  from  a  flock  of  forty  or  more 
at  Los  Amates  February  2d.  None  were  seen  elsewhere. 


Family  Timuuicla*. 

15.  Crypturus  soui  meserythrus  Sclater. 

Three  specimens  were  obtained  near  Los  Amates,  where  they 
appear  to  be  common.  They  are  difficult  to  see  as  they  live  in  the 
dense  forests  and  will  not  stir  until  one  is  about  to  step  on  them. 


Nov.  1907.       BIRDS  FROM  GUATEMALA — DEARBORN.  77 

An  egg,  said  by  the  natives  to  belong  to  this  species,  was  brought  in 
some  time  in  April.     Iris  light  olive. 


Family  Tetraoiiidse. 

16.  Cyrtonyx  ocellatus  Gould. 

This  handsome  quail  was  first  seen  on  the  road  from  Lake  Atitlan 
to  Tecpam  at  an  altitude  of  about  7,000  feet.  They  frequent  corn- 
fields and,  in  that  brushy,  mountainous  country,  there  is  not  much 
use  in  hunting  them  anywhere  else.  Two  specimens,  purchased  by 
Mr.  .Barber  from  an  Indian,  who  had  them  alive,  were  all  that  could 
be  obtained.  These  were  taken  near  Tecpam  at  an  altitude  of  about 
7,600  feet.  Iris  clove-brown. 


Family  Cracidre. 

17.  Crax  globicera  Linmeus. 

Curasows  are  not  uncommon  in  the  bottom  lands  about  Los 
Amates,  but  one  must  learn  their  habits  if  he  would  collect  them 
successfully.  In  February  they  appeared  regularly  each  afternoon 
in  some  tall  trees  which  at  that  season  were  clad  only  in  yellow 
foliage.  When  wandering  about  in  the  jungle,  it  is  only  by  good 
luck  that  one  finds  them.  Four  specimens,  three  males  and  a  female, 
were  taken,  all  adult.  The  irides  of  two  of  the  males  were  dark 
red,  while  those  of  the  female  and  the  other  male,  which,  judging 
by  the  small  size  of  the  excrescence  at  the  base  of  its  bill,  was  some- 
what younger  than  the  other  two,  were  seal  brown. 

18.  Penelope  purpurascens  Wagler. 

The  habitat  of  this  species,  like  that  of  the  curasow,  is  in  the 
dense  swamps,  where  it  feeds  on  fruits  of  trees.  It  flies  with  vigor, 
and  seems  quite  at  home  among  the  branches.  All  told,  seven 
specimens  were  taken,  all  adults.  In  hunting  them,  a  dog  to  flush 
them  when  they  were  on  the  ground,  and  send  them  into  the  trees, 
was  found  useful.  When  thus  disturbed  they  were  easy  to  discover, 
and  not  difficult  to  approach  within  gunshot.  The  naked  ocular 
and  loral  space  in  life  is  bright  blue,  the  throat  is  red,  the  iris  dark 
wine-color,  and  the  legs  carmine. 


78  FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ORNITHOLOGY,  VOL.  I. 

19.  Ortalis  vetula  plumbeiceps  Gray. 

This  chachalaca,  or  chacha  as  it  is  called  by  the  natives  of  Guate- 
mala, was  found  to  be  rather  common  in  the  lowlands,  and  adjacent 
portions  of  the  upland  country.  They  were  noted  at  Gualan,  which 
is  well  above  the  swamps  though  not  remote  from  them,  but  not  at 
El  Rancho.  Shortly  after  sunrise  and  at  intervals  during  the  day, 
they  utter  their  resounding  cries,  of  which  the  word  cha-cha-la-ca  is 
perhaps  as  good  an  imitation  as  can  be  put  into  printed  syllables. 
When  these  vocal  evolutions  are  in  progress  it  is  difficult  to  decide  how 
many  birds  are  calling,  or  where  they  are  located,  except  as  to  general 
direction.  Judging  from  their  cries  they  are  occasionally  on  or  near 
the  ground,  but  all  that  were  seen  were  in  trees.  During  the  day 
they  remain  in  heavy  timber,  but  morning  and  evening  they  come 
to  the  edges  of  the  clearings  and  to  the  cane  brakes  along  the  streams. 
Three  examples  were  secured  at  Los  Amates.  These  had  the  throat 
flesh  color,  the  bill  and  feet  horn-blue  and  the  irides  dark  brown. 

20.  Ortalis  leucogastra  (Gould}. 

The  white-bellied  chachalaca  was  found  only  at  San  Jose.  Here 
it  was  tolerably  common,  but  at  neither  Patulul  nor  Mazatenango 
was  it  seen  or  heard.  This  bird  was  seen  to  take  rather  long  flights 
high  above  the  timber.  It  flies  with  neck  straight  and  crest  raised, 
which,  with  its  long  tail,  give  it  an  unusual  contour.  Its  flight  is 
direct  and  steady,  and  of  moderate  speed.  The  colors  of  iris  and 
other  soft  parts  are  like  those  of  plumbeiceps. 


Family   Columbidw. 

21.  Columba  flavirostris  Wagler. 

A  single  specimen  of  this  pigeon,  taken  at  San  Jose,  was  the  only 
one  recognized  anywhere  in  the  country.  Iris  orange;  eyelids  and 
base  of  bill  red;  tip  of  bill  white. 

22.  Columba  rufina  Temminck  and  Knip. 

The  only  pigeons  of  this  species,  that  were  found,  were  two  taken 
at  Los  Amates,  January  27th.  Pigeons  were  numerous  in  that 
region,  but  the  thick  vegetation  usually  made  it  impossible  to  dis- 
tinguish one  species  from  another  in  the  trees.  It  is  probable  that 
rufina  is  common  there.  These  specimens,  both  females,  show  con- 
siderable variation  in  color  of  the  interscapulars,  which  may  be  due 


FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL   HISTORY. 


ORNITHOLOGY,  VOL.   I.   PLATE  II. 


BREAST  AND  TRACHEA  OF  MALE 

Ortalis  -cetula  plumbeiceps. 


Nov.   1907.       BIRDS  FROM  GUATEMALA — DEARBORN.  79 

to  a  difference  in  age.  One  has  this  area  plumbeus  with  a  tinge  of 
purple ;  the  other,  pale  seal  brown.  The  former  is  in  perfect  feather, 
the  latter  has  new  tertials  and  inner  primaries  and  outer  secondaries, 
the  other  remiges  being  faded  and  abraded.  Iris  and  feet  carmine; 
bill  black. 

23.  Columba  fasciata  Say. 

Mr.  Barber  took  one  specimen  at  an  elevation  of  8,400  feet  near 
Tecpam.  None  were  seen  at  lower  altitudes. 

24.  Columba  nigrirostris  Sclater. 

Three  specimens,  one  from  Puerto  Barrios  and  two  from  Los 
Amates,  comprise  the  series.  One  of  the  lot,  evidently  immature, 
has  rusty  margins  on  all  of  its  wing  feathers,  and  scatteringly  else- 
where. On  the  occiput  and  nape  of  this  specimen  the  rusty-tipped 
feathers  were  being  replaced  by  those  of  grayish  Indian  purple 
characteristic  of  adults.  Iris  pink  in  adults,  orange  in  younger 
birds;  bill  black;  feet  purple. 

25.  Zenaidura  macroura  (Linnceus). 

Mourning  doves,  by  thousands,  throng  the  country  between 
Gualan  and  El  Rancho,  at  least  during  the  dry  season,  where  they 
live  about  the  numerous  corn  fields  which  at  that  season  are  in  the 
harvest.  One  specimen  wras  taken  at  El  Rancho. 

26.  Melopelia  leucoptera  (Linn&us). 

White-winged  doves  were  found  associated  with  the  last  species 
at  El  Rancho  and  elsewhere.  Two  specimens  were  taken,  one  at 
El  Rancho,  the  other  near  Tecpam. 

27.  Claravis  pretiosa  (Ferrari-Perez). 

This  dove  was  seen  only  in  the  Motagua  valley  near  Los  Amates. 
It  appeared  to  prefer  shingly  beaches  along  the  forest  streams  instead 
of  cultivated  land.  Five  specimens  were  secured.  Iris  lake  red; 
bill  pale  blue;  feet  flesh  color. 

28.  Leptotila  fulviventris  brachyptera  (Salvadori). 
White-fronted    doves   were    found    common  everywhere.    Eleven 

specimens  were  taken,  as  follows:  One  from  Los  Amates,  one  from 
Gualan,  one  from  Lake  Amatitlan,  one  from  Lake  Atitlan,  one  at 
8,400  feet,  near  Tecpam,  five  at  Patulul  and  one  at  San  Jose.  They 
were  usually  found  in  trees  in  the  forest,  and  appeared  to  subsist 


8o  FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY — ORNITHOLOGY,  VOL.  I. 

mainly  on  fruit.  The  irides  of  the  male  from  San  Jose"  were  red, 
those  of  all  the  others  were  orange;  bare  ocular  area  and  legs  burnt 
carmine;  bill  black. 

29.  Leptotila  plumbeiceps  (Sdater  and  Salviri). 

One  specimen  was  taken  at  Los  Amates  by  Messrs.  Heller  and 
Barber.  None  were  seen  by  the  writer.  Iris  lemon. 

30.  Scardafella  inca  (Lesson). 

Inca  doves  were  found  to  be  as  much  a  part  of  village  life  in  El 
Rancho  and  Gualan  as  English  sparrows  are  at  home.  They  are 
such  graceful,  dainty  little  birds  that  it  is  to  be  hoped  the  time  will 
never  come  when  the  sparrows,  which  have  neither  manners  nor 
grace,  will  dispossess  them.  One  was  secured  at  Gualan  and  another 
at  El  Rancho.  None  were  noticed  in  the  tierra  caliente  or  in  the 
mountains.  The  female  had  orange  irides,  while  those  of  the  male 
were  red.  Feet  flesh  color;  bill  pale  at  base  and  black  at  tip, 

31.  Chaemepelia  passerina  pallescens  (Baird). 

Four  specimens  were  obtained,  two  at  Gualan  and  two  at  Lake 
Atitlan.  It  is  an  abundant  species  generally  distributed.  Iris  Chi- 
nese orange;  bill  burnt  carmine. 

32.  Chaemepelia  minuta  (Linnaeus). 

A  female  of  this  species,  taken  near  Los  Amates,  was  the  only 
individual  known  to  have  been  seen.  Iris  red;  bill  pale  horn;  feet 
flesh  color. 

33.  Chcemepelia  rufipennis  (Bonaparte). 

Rufus-winged  doves  were  found  only  at  comparatively  low 
altitudes.  A  pair  was  taken  at  Los  Amates  and  one  at  San  Jose". 
Iris  red;  bill  pale  horn;  feet  flesh  color. 


Family  Cathartidse. 

34.  Qypagus  papa  (Linnaeus). 

At  Los  Amates  six  or  eight  king  vultures  came  down  to  assist 
the  village  pack  of  black  vultures  in  disposing  of  a  cow  that  had 
died  on  an  island  in  the  Motagua  river.  Unlike  the  black  vultures, 


Nov.  1907.       BIRDS  FROM  GUATEMALA — DEARBORN.  81 

which  constantly  stood  about  the  carcass,  these  patricians  spent  but 
little  time  feeding,  and  when  satisfied,  ascended  to  the  tops  of  some 
trees  in  the  vicinity.  Two  adult  males  and  one  immature  female 
were  secured.  Generally  speaking,  king  vultures  were  scarce;  aside 
from  those  already  mentioned,  only  two  were  seen  during  the  entire 
winter.  The  writer  has  yet  to  see  a  more  beautiful  bird  than  the 
present  species  in  life.  Its  black  wings  and  tail,  white  under  parts 
and  pale  rose  mantle  are  striking  enough,  but  its  chief  beauty  lies 
in  the  brilliant  coloring  of  its  head  and  neck.  A  sketch  in  water 
colors,  carefully  made  from  a  fresh  specimen,  bears  the  following 
colors,  named  according  to  Ridgway's  Nomenclature  of  Colors: 
Indian  yellow,  lemon-yellow,  poppy-red,  scarlet- vermilion,  flame- 
scarlet;  flesh  color,  rose-purple,  and  Indian  purple.  Iris  lemon- 
yellow. 

35.  Cathartes  aura  (Linnaus). 

Turkey  buzzards  were  found  at  all  altitudes.  They  frequent 
mountains  and  open  country,  leaving  the  towns  to  the  black  vultures. 
One  specimen  was  taken.  Iris  dark  brown. 

36.  Catharista  urubu  (Vieittot}. 

In  the  towns  black  vultures  vie  with  the  pigs  and  dogs  and  chickens 
as  scavengers.  They  are  more  numerous  than  poultry  and  quite 
as  safe  from  violence.  They  understand  the  ways  of  humanity  very 
well,  and  quickly  recognize  signs  of  a  coming  feast.  At  one  time, 
two  men  were  seen  to  bring  armfuls  of  boughs  and  build  a  temporary 
shelter  from  the  sun  on  the  dry  bed  of  the  river.  The  black  vul- 
tures gradually  began  to  assemble.  They  stood  in  a  circular  line, 
and  saw  a  sheep  brought  down  and  slaughtered,  and  respectfully 
waited  till  the  men  and  their  mutton  had  departed,  when  they  made 
short  work  of  the  offal.  The  slaughtering  place  of  each  town  is  their 
especial  rendezvous.  Only  one  specimen  was  taken.  Iris  dark 
brown. 


Family  Falconidfe. 

37.  Accipiter  velox  (Wilson). 

An  immature  male,  taken  at  Lake  Atitlan  April  8th,  was  the  only 
example  of  this  species  known  to  have  been  seen.     Iris  yellow. 


82  FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ORNITHOLOGY,  VOL.  I. 

38.  Accipiter  chionogaster  Kaup. 

One  specimen,  a  male,  was  taken  by  Mr.  Barber  at  8,500  feet, 
near  Tecpam.  It  is  apparently  not  a  common  species  in  the  regions 
visited.  Iris  tawny;  legs  ochre;  cere  and  eyelid  gallstone-yellow. 

39.  Buteo  platypterus  (Vieillot). 

In  a  heavy  forest  cleared  of  underbrush  and  planted  to  coffee, 
near  Patulul,  this  species  was  found  to  be  common,  but  not  so  else- 
where. Three  adult  specimens  and  two  that  were  immature  were 
obtained  between  March  25th  and  April  3d. 

40.  Urubitinga  anthracina  (Lichtensteiri) . 

Mexican  black  hawks  were  seen  in  the  lowlands  near  both  coasts 
and  also  in  the  interior  at  least  up  to  5,000  feet.  A  pair  of  adults 
was  taken  at  San  Jose.  They  were  perched  on  a  tree  where  they 
had  an  extended  view  of  the  beach,  whence  they  appeared  to  derive 
their  food.  Iris  dark  brown;  feet  and  base  of  bill  yellow. 

41.  Asturina  plagiata  Schlegel. 

Three  specimens  were  taken  in  all,  one  adult  and  one  immature 
at  Gualan,  and  another,  also  immature,  at  Patulul.  At  the  latter 
place,  a  pair  was  attending  a  nest  high  in  an  enormous  tree  that 
stood  in  a  field.  What  this  nest  contained  there  were  no  means 
of  finding  out.  The  immature  plumage  of  this  species  is  so  similar 
to  that  of  Buteo  platypterus  that  at  first  sight  it  is  difficult  to  dis- 
tinguish them,  but  the  white  upper  tail  coverts  and  four  emarginate 
primaries  are  diagnostic  characters  of  plagiata.  Iris  dark  brown; 

cere  and  legs  yellow. 

• 

42.  Rupornis  ruficauda  griseocauda  (Ridgway). 

This  was  the  most  abundant  and  easily  approached  hawk  en- 
countered in  the  republic.  Four  were  taken  at  Los  Amates  and 
one  at  San  Jose.  None  were  noted  in  the  interior  highlands.  The 
habits  of  this  hawk  are  like  those  of  the  Buteos.  They  sit  in  exposed 
places,  where  from  a  height  they  can  keep  close  watch  on  the  river 
bank,  open  swamp  or  field  that  happens  to  be  the  hunting  ground 
of  the  particular  individual.  Only  the  outer  rectrices  of  the  San 
Jose"  specimen  show  even  traces  of  rufus  in  the  light  bars;  but  this 
color  appears  on  all  the  rectrices  of  the  Los  Amates  birds.  Tris. 
cere  and  feet  vellow. 


Nov.   1907.       BIRDS  FROM  GUATEMALA — DEARBORX.  83 

43.  Spizaetus  ornatus  Daudin. 

The  only  specimen  seen  was  taken  near  Patulul  by  Mr.  Barber. 
This  is  in  immature  plumage,  yet  strikingly  handsome  with  its  white 
head  adorned  by  three  long  occipital  plumes  of  dusky  brown,  white 
under  parts  set  off  by  heavy  pectoral  and  axillary  bars,  and  its 
long  legs,  feathered  to  the  toes  and  barred  black  and  white.  We 
were  told  that  this  hawk  occasionally  visited  the  chicken  yard.  It 
was  shot  from  the  top  of  a  high  tree  in  the  woods,  where  it  was  sit- 
ting apparently  on  the  watch  for  prey.  The  irides  of  this  bird  were 
straw-color;  and  they  exhibited  a  graded  depth  of  color  from 
lighter,  next  the  supra-orbital  process,  to  darker  at  the  lower,  un- 
shaded portion.  This  feature  has  also  been  noticed  in  the  eyes  of 
other  large  hawks.  The  increased  pigmentation  of  the  lower  half 
of  the  iris  appears  to  offset  the  shading  of  the  upper  half  by  the 
projecting  supra-orbital  process,  and  thereby  to  render  the  illumina- 
tion of  the  retina  more  nearly  uniform  than  would  otherwise  be 
the  case. 

44.  Ictinia  plumbea  (Gmeliri). 

Several  were  seen  at  Los  Amates,  but  only  one  was  secured. 
None  were  seen  elsewhere.  Iris  maroon. 

45.  Falco  albigularis  Daudin. 

One  specimen  was  taken  near  Patulul  and  a  pair  at  Mazatenango. 
At  the  latter  place  one  or  two  others  were  heard  in  the  forest.  None 
were  found  away  from  heavy  timber.  They  were  in  pairs  and  noisy 
the  third  week  in  March,  and  were  usually  found  sitting  on  the  highest 
dead-topped  trees  available.  Iris  dark  brown. 

46.  Falco  sparverius  Linnceus. 

Two  typical  males,  were  taken  in  the  highlands  near  Tecpam. 

47.  Falco  sparverius  phaloena  Lesson. 

Desert  sparrow  hawks  were  rather  common  at  every  station,  where 
there  was  much  cleared  land,  below  2,000  feet.  Only  two  specimens 
were  taken,  one  at  Los  Amates  and  one  at  Gualan.  Both  were 
easily  referable  to  this  subspecies. 

48.  Micrastur  melanoleucus  (Vieillof). 

A  singfe  example  of  this  hawk  was  taken  at  San  Jose.  It  does 
not  appear  to  be  a  common  species.  Iris  brown;  base  of  bill,  ocular 
area  and  feet  vellow. 


84  FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY — ORNITHOLOGY,  VOL.  I. 

49.  Micrastur  guerilla  Cassin. 

The  only  specimen  seen,  an  immature  male,  was  killed  in  a  dense 
thicket  near  Los  Amates.  The  only  evidence  of  adult  plumage 
on  this  specimen  consists  of  a  band  of  slate-colored  feathers  around 
the  lower  hind  neck,  white  chin,  slaty  throat  and  a  very  few  scattered 
feathers  on  the  chest  and  thighs.  Salvin  and  Godman's  description  of 
the  juvenile  plumage  of  this  species*  applies  very  well  to  this  speci- 
men except  as  to  the  number  of  white  bars  on  the  tail;  their  bird 
had  four;  this  one  has  five.  The  obscure  white  collar,  seen  only 
on  immature  birds,  is  probably  a  vestigial  character,  which  in  melan- 
oleucus  remains  permanent,  and  in  mirandollei  has  disappeared 
altogether.  Iris  light  brown;  maxilla  black;  mandible,  feet  and 
bare  ocular  and  loral  area  lemon-yellow. 

50.  Herpetotheres  cachinnans  (Linnaeus). 

This  curious  hawk  was  encountered  only  at  Los  Amates  and 
Mazatenango.  It  haunted  the  environs  of  the  former  town,  and 
morning  and  evening  made  the  place  resound  with  its  loud  calls, 
often  keeping  them  up  till  long  after  dark'.  One  was  secured  at 
Los  Amates.  Iris  dark  brown;  base  of  bill  yellow;  from  nostril 
outward,  black;  feet  straw  color. 

51.  Polyborus  cheriway  (Jacquin). 

Several  caracaras  were  seen  at  El  Rancho  and  Gualan,  and  one 
was  secured  at  San  Jose*. 


Family   Strigidre. 

52.  Otus  flammeolus  (Kaup). 

A  single  specimen  was  obtained  at  Tecpam  by  Mr.  Barber.  Iris 
dark  brown;  cere  gray.  Stomach  contained  beetles. 

53.  Speotyto  cunicularis  hypogaea  Bonaparte. 

A  few  were  seen  at  Gualan  and  El  Rancho  in  dry  gulches.  One 
was  secured  at  the  latter  place.  Iris  yellow;  bill  greenish  yellow; 
feet  yellowish  green. 

54.  Qlaucidium  brasilianum  ridgwayi  Sharpe. 

At  El  Rancho  and  Patulul  this  little  owl  was  common.     Two 
*Biologia  Central!  Americana,  Aves,  Vol.  Ill,  p.  no. 


Nov.   1907.       BIRDS  FROM  GUATEMALA — DEARBORN-.  85 

were  obtained  at  the  former  place  and  three  at  the  latter.  No  two 
are  colored  alike.  The  Rancho  birds,  which  represent  both  color 
phases,  are  decidedly  paler  than  those  in  the  corresponding  phases 
from  Patulul,  which  difference  can  readily  be  accounted  for  on 
climatic  grounds.  Of  the  three  Patulul  specimens,  the  back  of  one 
is  near  Prout's  brown ;  of  another  chestnut ;  and  the  third  somewhere 
between  them.  Iris  lemon;  bill  and  feet  straw  color. 


Family  Psittacidse. 

55.  Ara  macao  (Linnaus). 

This  macaw  is  tolerably  common  in  the  tierra  caliente  of  the 
Atlantic  slope.  It  was  seen  daily  about  Los  Amates,  usually  in 
pairs,  flying  high  and  uttering  occasional  squawks.  They  are  striking 
looking  birds,  as  seen  on  the  wing  against  a  sky  background.  Their 
lengthened  contour,  red  color  and  steady  flight  all  serve  to  hold 
the  observer's  eye.  They  fed,  in  January,  on  wild  figs,  and  were  ex- 
ceedingly hard  to  bring  down  from  the  tops  of  the  immense  fig  trees. 
Four  specimens  were  obtained  in  all. 

56.  Conurus  holochlorus  rubritorques  Sclater. 

Four  specimens  were  taken  at  Gualan,  where  they  appeared  to  be 
fairly  common.  One  of  these  shows  no  red  feathers  whatever,  and 
only  one  of  the  others  has  the  throat  and  foreneck  mainly  red.  Iris 
orange;  ocular  area  dusky. 

57.  Conurus  aztec  Souance. 

Three  specimens  were  taken  in  the  lowlands  about  Los  Amates. 
Iris  orange;  ocular  area  white. 

58.  Conurus  canicularis  (Linnaus). 

Judging  from  the  localities  in  which  specimens  of  this  parakeet 
were  taken,  this  species  prefers  drier  and  more  open  country  than  the 
last.  Five  examples  were  taken;  one  at  Gualan,  two  at  El  Rancho, 
one  at  Mazatenango  and  one  at  San  Jose".  Iris  straw;  ocular  area 
yellow ;  bill  white. 

59.  Brotogerys  jugularis  Mutter. 

Four  specimens  were  secured  at  San  Jose",  where  it  was  common 
and  easily  approached.  It  was  not  seen  elsewhere.  Iris  straw  color. 


86  FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ORNITHOLOGY,  VOL.  I. 

60.  Amazona  autumnalis  (Linnaus). 

This  parrot  was  abundant  about  Los  Amates,  and  six  specimens 
were  obtained  there.  It  was  not  seen  elsewhere.  Iris  orange;  bill 
straw  except  cutting  edge,  which  was  horn  color;  feet  horn-blue. 

61.  Amazona  auropalliata  (Lesson). 

A  pair  of  these  parrots  was  seen  in  the  woods  near  San  Jose,  and 
one  of  them  secured.  None  were  encountered  elsewhere.  The 
specimen  taken  had  a  patch  of  yellow  on  its  forehead  as  well  as  on 
its  nape.  Iris  orange. 

62.  Amazona  albifrons  (Sparrman). 

Three  white-fronted  parrots  were  taken  at  Gualan  and  two  at 
San  Jose".  At  the  former  place  they  were  abundant  in  February. 
The  foreheads  of  the  Gualan  birds  are  clear  white,  while  those  from 
San  Jose  are  yellowish.  The  climatic  requirements  of  this  species 
appear  to  agree  with  those  of  Conurus  canicularis .  Iris  straw  color; 
bill  yellow;  ocular  area  flesh  color. 

63.  Pionus  senilis  (Spix). 

Two  specimens  were  obtained  at  Gualan.  They  were  a  part 
of  a  flock  that  was  found  feeding  on  the  fruit  of  a  large  leguminous 
tree.  This  species  was  not  noted  elsewhere.  Iris  dark  brown; 
bill  pale  green;  feet  dull  yellow. 


Family  Cuculicla*. 

64.  Crotophaga  sulcirostris  Swainson. 

Grooved-billed  anis  are  abundant  in  the  low-country  and  up 
to  4,000  feet,  above  which  they  were  not  noted.  They  are  eminently 
social  creatures,  which  spend  much  time  perching  on  low  bushes, 
weeds  or  hedges,  often  several  on  the  same  branch,  where  they 
communicate  in  squealy  metallic  tones,  preen  their  fluffed  feathers 
and  look  very  shabby.  They  are  thin,  loose-jointed,  and  sparsely 
feathered  birds.  The  most  attractive  feature  about  them  is  their 
habit  of  attending  cattle  and  horses,  which  they  scan  for  ticks.  The 
animals  allow  these  birds  to  alight  upon  their  backs,  cling  to  their 
sides  or  legs,  and  investigate  their  ears,  with  absolute  indifference. 
The  anis  do  not  depend  altogether  on  ticks,  however.  They  often 


Nov.  1907.        BIRDS  FROM  GUATEMALA  —  DEARBORN.  87 

keep  close  to  the  feeding  animal's  nose  and  capture  such  insects  as 
are  disturbed  by  it.  Specimens  were  obtained  at  Gualan,  El  Rancho, 
Lake  Amatitlan  and  Patulul, —  six  in  all.  Iris  Prout's  brown. 

65.  Tapera  nrcvius  (Linnaeus}. 

A  single  specimen,  the  only  one  seen,  was  taken  at  Gualan.  This 
bird  was  discovered  in  a  pile  of  brush  in  a  pasture.  Iris  brown; 
feet  horn-blue. 

66.  Morococcyx  erythropygus  (Lesson). 

Three  specimens  were  taken  at  Gualan.  None  were  seen  elsewhere. 
These  were  all  found  on  the  ground,  along  roadsides  or  paths.  They 
were  unwary,  allowing  a  near  approach,  and  more  inclined  to  hide 
than  to  fly  away.  Their  striking  features  were  the  brilliant  colors  of  the 
naked  skin  about  the  eyes,  and  their  habit  of  staring  at  an  intruder. 
Iris  dark  brown ;  upper  portion  of  maxilla  dusky,  lower  half  and  all 
of  the  mandible  yellow ;  bare  ocular  area"  yellow  in  front  of  and  below 
the  eye,  and  intense  blue  above  and  behind  it;  legs  flesh  color. 

67.  Qeococcyx  affinis  Hartlaub. 

The  distribution  of  this  roadrunner  appears  to  depend  upon  the 
character  of  the  country.  It  was  first  seen  a  little  above  El  Rancho 
on  the  road  to  Guatemala  City,  where  the  soil  was  dry,  stony  and 
sparsely  covered  with  deciduous  bushes.  Near  Lake  Atitlan,  where 
the  ground  is  equally  stubborn,  it  was  found  again,  but  nowhere 
else.  One  specimen  was  taken  by  Mr.  Barber  at  the  last  named 
locality.  Iris  hazel;  eyelid  white;  bare  ocular  area  varying  from 
lavender  near  the  lids  to  campanular-blue  on  the  post-orbital  part. 

68.  Piaya  cayana  mehleri   Bonaparte. 

This  species  was  taken  at  Los  Amates,  Gualan,  Patulul  and 
San  Jose,—  six  specimens  in  all.  It  was  seen  at  Lake  Amatitlan, 
but  at  no  higher  altitude.  At  Gualan  it  was  common,  elsewhere, 
rather  scarce.  It  frequents  thickets.  Iris  carmine;  bill  and  ocular 
area  yellowish  green. 


Family  Trogoiiidse. 

69.  Trogon  mexicanus  Swainson. 

Two  adult  males,  an  immature  male  and  a  female  were  taken 
above  Tecpam  at  an  altitude  of  9,500  feet.     None  were  encountered 


88  FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY — ORNITHOLOGY,  VOL.  I. 

below  the  cypress  belt.  In  this  dense  timber  land  it  is  difficult  to 
bring  a  trogon  down  with  its  feathers  on,  so  numerous  are  the  branches, 
and  so  slightly  attached  are  the  feathers. 

70.  Trogon  elegans   Gould. 

Two  specimens,  a  female  and  an  immature  male,  were  taken 
on  the  hills  due  north  of  El  Rancho.  None  were  seen  elsewhere. 
Iris  dark  brown ;  eyelids  orange. 

71.  Trogon  puella    Gould. 

Three  adult  males  were  obtained  near  Patulul,  the  only  locality 
in  which  this  bird  was  found.  Iris  dark  brown;  bill  chrome-yellow; 
eyelids  brown. 

72.  Trogon  melanocephalus  Gould. 

This  species  was  found  only  on  the  lower  portion  of  the  Atlantic 
slope.  At  Los  Amates  it  w.as  common  and  five  were  added  to  the 
collection  at  that  place.  Three  more  were  obtained  at  Gualan. 
One  of  these  birds,  an  adult  female,  exhibits  a  case  of  asymmetrical 
moult.  The  six  rectrices  of  one  side  are  fully  grown,  but  the  fourth, 
fifth  and  sixth  rectrices  of  the  other  side,  reckoning  towards  the 
middle,  are  only  a  third  grown,  and  of  equal  length.  Another  female, 
which  was  immature,  has  the  second  and  fourth  rectrices  of  one  side 
about  half  grown,  and  nearly  of  equal  length,  the  other  side  being 
complete.  Iris  dark  brown;  eyelids  blue. 

73.  Trogon  caligatus    Gould.  [' 

Of  this  trogon  one  specimen  was  obtained  at  Gualan,  one  at 
Mazatenango,  and  two  at  Patulul.  Individual  variation  in  color 
is  very  noticeable.  One  specimen  has  a  marine  blue  chest  and  a 
bronzed  grass-green  rump;  while  another  has  the  chest  hyacinth 
blue,  and  the  rump  glistening  myrtle-green.  Both  are  adult  males. 
Iris  dark  brown;  eyelids  yellow. 

74.  Trogon  massena   Gould. 

A  single  specimen,  the  only  one  seen,  was  taken  at  Los  Amates. 
Iris  brown. 


Family    Momotidse. 

75.  Eumomota  superciliaris  (Sandbach). 

Red-backed  motmots  were  found  only  at  El  Rancho  and  Los 


Nov.  1907.       BIRDS  FROM  GUATEMALA — DEARBORN.  89 

Amates.  At  the  former  place  they  were  rather  scarce,  and  those  taken 
were  perceptibly  paler  on  the  upper  parts  than  those  from  the 
humid  low  lands.  Six  specimens  were  obtained.  Iris  dark  brown. 

76.  Momotus  lessoni  Lesson. 

This  motmot  was  found  to  be  common  on  the  Pacific  slope,  but 
only  one  was  seen  on  the  east  side,  this  being  taken  at  Los  Amates. 
Three  specimens  were  secured  at  Mazatenango,  and  three  at  Patulul. 
It  was  also  observed  at  San  Jose1.  Iris  maroon. 

77.  Momotus  castaneiceps  Gould. 

This  species  was  found  only  at  El  Rancho,  where  it  frequented 
the  dry  gullies.  This  was  in  January,  and  although  there  were 
numerous  holes  in  the  banks  where  it  probably  breeds,  none  of 
these  birds  was  seen  near  them.  Five  specimens  were'  obtained. 
Iris  red. 


Family   Alcyonidae. 

78.  Ceryle  alcyon  (Linn&us). 

One  specimen  was  taken  at  Lake  Atitlan,  where  this  species 
was  fairly  common,  on  April  loth.  This  specimen  is  somewhat 
peculiar  in  that  it  has  certain  conspicuous  areas  where  there  has  been 
no  renewal  of  feathers  for  a  long  time.  The  forehead,  scattering 
feathers  on  the  crown,  and  about  half  of  the  blue  pectoral  band  are 
faded  to  ecru  drab,  and  much  abraded.  The  lesser  wing  coverts 
are  much  worn  but  not  so  badly  faded.  In  the  series  of  34  skins 
possessed  by  this  Museum,  only  one  other,  which  was  taken  in  Florida 
in  January,  shows  arrested  moult  in  any  degree  comparable  with  this. 

79.  Ceryle  torquata  (Linnaeus}. 

This  species  was  frequently  seen  at  Los  Amates.  Only  one 
specimen  was  taken,  though  several  could  easily  have  been  secured, 
as  they  were  rather  easy  to  approach. 

80.  Ceryle  amazona  (Latham). 

This  kingfisher  was  occasionally  seen  near  Los  Amates,  but  it  was 
invariably  shy  and  only  one  was  taken. 

81.  Ceryle  americana  septentrionalis  Sharpe. 

This  little  kingfisher  was  found  to  be  common  and  unsuspicious 


go  FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  — ORNITHOLOGY,  VOL.  I. 


wherever  there  was  water.  Two  were  taken  at  Los  Amates,  and 
three  at  Lake  Atitlan.  There  appears  to  be  a  color  variation  in 
both  sexes,  due  to  age.  Judging  from  a  comparison  of  bills  they 
are  the  younger  birds  which  have  the  throat  tinged  with  pinkish 
buff;  while  adults  have  this  region  white.  Fully  adult  females  have 
the  transverse  bands  across  the  breast  much  broader  than  those 
which  are  immature. 

82.  Ceryle  aenea  stictoptera  Ridgway. 

The  only  example  of  this  species  that  was  seen  was  taken  at 
San  Jose'  in  a  dense  growth  of  mangroves  on  the  margin  of  a  salt 
lagoon,  where  it  spent  its  time  perching  on  twigs  within  a  foot  or 
two  of  the  water.  It  exhibited  very  little  fear  when  approached, 
and  when  driven  from  one  rest,  quickly  chose  another  but  a  few 
feet  farther  on. 


Family  Rliamphastidse. 

83.  Rhamphastos  carinatus  Swainson. 

This  toucan  was  found  common  about  Los  Amates,  always  in 
small  flocks.  They  were  feeding  on  a  kind  of  wild  fig.  In  the 
morning  they  moved  about  from  place  to  place,  but  during  the 
middle  of  the  day  they  were  more  quiet,  and  less  frequently  observed. 
Four  specimens  were  collected.  The  portion  of  the  bill,  which  on 
the  dried  specimen  is  black,  in  life  is  yellowish  green.  Other  portions 
of  the  bill  do  not  change  very  much  in  drying.  The  iris  is  dark  sea- 
green,  and  the  bare  ocular  area  is  also  green. 

84.  Pteroglossus  torquatus  (Gmeliri). 

This  species  was  taken  at  Los  Amates  and  Mazatenango,  and 
also  seen  at  San  Jose"  and  in  the  highlands  between  El  Rancho  and 
Guatemala  City.  Four  specimens  were  secured.  The  bill  does  not 
change  color  greatly  in  drying.  The  elliptical  iris  is  yellow;  and 
the  ocular  area  is  lake-red. 

85.  Aulacorhamphus  prasinus  (Lichtenstein} . 

A  single  specimen  of  this  species,  the  only  one  seen,  was  taken 
at  9,500  feet,  near  Tecpam. 


Nov.  1907.       BIRDS  FROM  GUATEMALA — DEARBORN.  91 


Family    Gralbulidse. 

86.  Qalbula  melanogenia  Sclater. 

Four  specimens  were  taken  near  Los  Amates.  None  were  seen 
elsewhere.  They  were  quite  unsuspicious,  and  apparently  loth 
to  move.  They  sit  in  exposed  positions,  where  they  can  keep  an 
eye  on  passing  insects,  and  often  utter  a  kind  of  squeal  at  the  sight 
of  an  intruder.  Iris  dark  brown;  feet  yellow;  bill  black. 


Family  Buccoiiidse. 

87.  Malacoptila  inornata  (DuBus). 

Three  specimens,  two  males  and  a  female,  were  taken  at  Los 
Amates.  None  were  encountered  elsewhere.  Like  the  last  species, 
they  are  quiet  birds,  not  at  all  timid,  and  accustomed  to  watch  for 
insects  from  the  bare  branches  rather  than  hunting  among  the  foliage. 
Iris  carmine ;  feet  dull  yellow ;  maxilla  black ;  mandible  horn-blue. 


Family  Picidse. 

88.  Campephilus  guatemalensis  (Hartlaub). 

Two  specimens  were  collected  at  Los  Amates  and  one  at  Patulul. 
At  the  former  place  the  species  is  rather  common,  especially  among 
the  bambus  in  the  bottom  lands.  The  bambu  makes  a  good  sound- 
ing-board to  give  force  and  character  to  the  woodpecker's  drumming. 
None  were  seen  in  other  localities  than  the  two  above  mentioned. 
Iris  yellow. 

89.  Celeus  castaneus  (Wagler). 

This  species  was  found  only  at  Los  Amates.  It  stayed  in  the 
swampy  places,  where  the  ground  was  more  or  less  inundated,  which 
made  it  difficult  to  obtain,  notwithstanding  the  fact  that  it  was 
rather  unwary.  Two  females  were  obtained.  In  comparing  these 
with  a  series  of  fourteen  skins  of  the  same  sex  from  various  localities, 
it  was  noticed  that  the  species  is  subject  to  considerable  individual 
variation  in  color.  The  pileum  on  these  Guatemalan  specimens 
agrees  with  the  majority,  though  three  of  the  lot  were  lighter,  and 


92  FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ORNITHOLOGY,  VOL.  I. 

one  somewhat  darker.  The  throat  and  breast  of  a  Honduras  speci- 
men is  darker  than  any  of  the  others.  Another  specimen  from 
Costa  Rica,  had  the  lower  back  tawny  ochraceous,  and  several  others 
showed  traces  of  it.  The  width  of  the  irregular  bars  of  black  on 
the  under  parts  varies  decidedly  in  different  birds.  One  had  even 
assumed  a  rictal  streak  of  red,  a  character  belonging  to  the  other  sex. 
Iris  seal-brown. 

90.  Dryobates  villosus  sanctorum  Nelson. 

One  specimen,  a  female,  was  obtained  at  8,000  feet,  near  Tecpam. 
None  were  seen  lower  than  the  above  altitude. 

91.  Veniliornis  caboti  (Malherbe). 

At  San  Jose  this  little  woodpecker  was  rather  common,  and  three 
specimens  were  taken  at  that  place.  A  pair  of  woodpeckers,  appar- 
ently of  this  species,  was  seen  at  Los  Amates.  None  were  seen 
outside  the  tierra  caliente.  Iris  brown. 

92.  Sphyrapicus  varius  (Linnaeus'). 

This  sapsucker  appears  to  be  generally  distributed  throughout 
the  country  in  winter.  An  adult  female  was  taken  December  i6th, 
at  9,500  feet,  near  Tecpam;  another  at  Lake  Atitlan,  5,000  feet, 
February  27th;  and  an  immature  male  at  Los  Amates,  60  feet, 
January  27th.  This  last  specimen  was  undergoing  a  moult  from 
immature  to  adult  plumage.  About  a  quarter  of  the  crown  is  still 
black,  and  the  chest  is  covered  with  juvenile  feathers,  the  throat, 
foreneck  and  breast  being  in  fresh  adult  plumage.  Birds  of  this 
species  were  found  singly  and  not  at  all  commonly. 

93.  Ceophloeus  scapularis  (Vigors). 

In  the  swamps  about  Los  Amates,  scapularis  was  found  asso- 
ciated by  a  common  interest  with  C.  guatemalensis.  Both  of  these 
species  were  usually  found  in  the  river  bottoms  where  bambu  thickets 
interspersed  the  heavy  timber.  Only  one  specimen  was  taken. 
Iris  straw  color;  bill  white;  feet  horn-blue. 

94.  Melanerpes  formic! vorus  (Swainsori). 

The  only  locality  where  this  bird  was  encountered  was  in  a  gorge, 
at  about  7,000  feet,  between  Lake  Atitlan  and  Tecpam.  The  road 
follows  this  gorge  for  several  miles,  and  while  journeying  over  it 
four  specimens  were  secured.  Oak  and  pine  trees  constitute  the 
forest  in  this  region.  Iris  pinkish  white;  bill  black. 


Nov.  1907.   BIRDS  FROM  GUATEMALA  —  DEARBORN. 


93 


95.  Centurus   santa=cruzi  Bonaparte. 

The  type  of  Centurus  santa-cruzi  was  described*  from  a  collection 
made  "during  a  fortnight's  scientific  tour  in  Guatemala."  In  the 
same  lot  of  skins  with  the  type  of  C.  santa-cruzi,  were  Cyanocitta 
stelleri  coronata,  a  bird  of  the  highlands,  above  4,000  feet,  and  Ortalis 
leucogaster,  which  is  peculiar  to  the  tierra  caliente  of  the  Pacific  slope. 
The  presumption  is,  that  the  type,  which  was  evidently  a  female 
judging  from  the  description  —  "capite  et  cor  pore  subtus  griseo- 
olivaceis" —  came  from  the  interior  or  from  the  south  coast,  as  a 
two  weeks'  visit  in  those  days  would  scarcely  be  sufficient  for  crossing 
the  continent  while  collecting  39  species  of  birds.  The  original 
description  does  not  well  apply  to  the  Pacific  coast  form,  which  is 
Nelson's  fumosus. 

Of  this  interior  form,  eight  specimens  were  secured:  four  from 
El  Rancho,  two  from  Lake  Atitlan,  one  from  Lake  Amatitlan,  and 
one  from  Patulul.  Those  from  El  Rancho  are  decidedly  larger  than 
any  of  the  others,  as  may  be  seen  from  the  appended  measurements. 


entire 

f       Male,      wing    136  mm.:     tail    77  mm. 

culmen  35  mm. 

El  Rancho                   ^ 

M4 
136 

84 

75 

34 
33 

" 

138 

80 

34 

Atitlan                   j        M?,le' 

129 
I25 

7° 
64 

32 
3° 

Amatitlan                     Female, 

127 

7i 

31 

Patulul 

122 

63 

3° 

There  is  considerable  color  variation  on  the  under  parts,  some 
being  darker  than  others,  but  excepting  this  they  are  quite  uniform. 
This  species  was  found  most  abundant  about  El  Rancho,  where  it 
frequents,  almost  exclusively,  the  tree  cactus,  Cereus.  They  are 
noisy  birds,  both  vocally  and  mechanically,  spending  most  of  their 
time  either  drumming  or  uttering  their  harsh  cries.  Iris  of  male 
crimson,  of  female  brown;  bill  black;  feet  horn  color. 

96.  Centurus  santa=cruzi  pauper  Ridgway. 

Two  topotypes  of  this  subspecies  from  Truxillo,  Honduras,  were 
kindly  loaned  by  the  authorities  at  the  Smithsonian  Institution  for 
comparison  with  specimens  in  this  Museum.  One  specimen  collected 
at  Los  Amates  evidently  belongs  to  this  form.  We  also  possess  two 
skins  from  Belize  that  are  typical.  The  range  of  this  form,  then, 
appears  to  be  the  low  country  adjacent  to  the  Caribbean  Sea  and 
extending  through  Belize,  Guatemala,  and,  at  least,  a  large  part  of 
Honduras.  It  is  not  a  very  well  defined  variety,  judging  from  the 

*Proc.  Zool.  Soc.  1837,  p.  116. 


94  FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ORNITHOLOGY,  VOL.  I. 

material  examined.  One  of  the  El  Rancho  skins  is  indistinguishable 
in  color  from  the  topotypes,  and  the  skins  of  santa-cruzi  from  Atitlan, 
Amatitlan  and  Patulul  are  but  very  little  larger  than  the  type  of 
pauper  as  given  in  the  original  description.  There  is  no  doubt, 
however,  that  in  a  series  of  pauper  the  white  bars  of  the  back  average 
narrower  than  in  a  series  from  the  interior  of  Guatemala,  and  decidedly 
narrower  than  in  another  series  from  Tamaulipas,  where  santa-cruzi 
passes  over  into  aurifrons.  It  is  indeed  singular  that  this  latter 
form  with  its  heavily  barred  primaries,  so  strikingly  different 
from  the  typical  Guatemalan  form,  has  not  been  honored  with  a 
name. 

97.  Centurus  santa=cruzi  fumosus  Nelson. 

A  specimen  taken  at  San  Jose"  has  the  dark  breast,  spotted  rump 
and  wide  bill  characteristic  of  this  form  which  was  described  by 
Nelson  from  Chiapas.  In  each  of  these  respects  it  differs  from  all 
the  other  specimens  of  Centurus  that  were  taken. 

98.  Colaptes  mexicanoides  Lafresnay. 

This  flicker  was  first  seen  at  Lake  Atitlan,  and  from  that  altitude 
(5,000  feet)  up  to  the  limit  of  timber  it  appears  to  be  tolerably  com- 
mon. Several  were  seen  at  9,500  feet.  A  nest,  containing  four 
addled  eggs  and  one  naked  young  bird  less  than  a  week  old,  was 
found  at  Lake  Atitlan,  April  loth.  The  male  parent  was  driven 
from  the  nest.  The  female  was  not  seen,  though  half  an  hour  was 
spent  about  the  nest,  which  was  in  a  willow  standing  in  a  growth 
of  coffee.  The  cavity  was  in  decayed  wood,  and  in  all  respects  was 
similar  to  that  excavated  by  our  northern  species.  The  nestling, 
which  was  preserved  in  formaldehyde,  was  badly  infested  with 
parasitic  larvae,  apparently  dipterous.  Of  the  four  adult  males 
that  were  taken,  one  at  Lake  Atitlan  and  three  near  Tecpam,  only 
one  has  the  white  rump  immaculate. 


Family 

99.  Antrostomus  chiapensis  Nelson. 

At  Lake  Atitlan,  this  bird  was  singing  in  April  and  was  reported  to 
have  begun  at  least  as  early  as  February.  Its  notes  are  indistinguish- 
able from  those  of  A.vociferus.  It  was  not  heard  below  5,000  feet. 
One  male  was  taken  at  Lake  Atitlan  and  another  at  Tecpam. 


Xov.   1907.       BIRDS  FROM  GUATEMALA — DEARBORX.  95 

100.  Nyctidromus  albicollis  (Gmeliri). 

Parauques  were  common  up  to  an  elevation  of  about  4,000  feet, 
above  which  none  were  seen.  Three  were  taken  at  Los  Amates,  one 
at  Gualan,  two  at  Lake  Amatitlan,  one  at  Patulul  and  one  at  San  Jose. 
It  seems  as  if  the  upper  vertical  limit  of  this  species  might  be  approxi- 
mately coincident  with  the  lower  limit  of  Antrostomus.  In  size  these 
Guatemalan  specimens  are  nearer  those  from  Nicaragua  and  Costa 
Rica  than  they  are  to  Yucatan  specimens.  One  of  the  Los  Amates 
birds,  a  male,  has  the  ground  color  of  the  crown,  nape  and  interscapu- 
lar  region,  a  warm  brown,  similar  to  walnut-brown  of  Ridgway's 
Nomenclature  of  Colors.  A  Yucatan  specimen  taken  at  San  Felipe, 
is  like  it  except  in  being  a  shade  paler.  Another  from  Colima  in  west- 
ern Mexico,  in  a  much  drier  climate  is  yet  paler  brown,  and  strikingly 
different  from  the  normal  gray  characteristic  of  average  specimens. 
The  occurrence  of  three  pale  individuals  out  of  a  series  of  fifteen  from 
Guatemala  and  southern  Mexico  indicates  dichromatism.  In  a  series 
of  eleven  skins  from  Nicaragua  and  Costa  Rica  there  is  practically  no 
color  variation,  all  being  of  the  gray  type. 

These  birds  were  often  seen  in  paths,  roads,  or  along  the  railway, 
in  the  evening.  In  the  day  time  they  were  usually  found  on  the 
ground  among  bushes  at  the  edge  of  clearings.  One  of  the  Los  Amates 
specimens  was  found,  during  a  cold  rainy  spell,  in  a  torpid  condition, 
and  was  picked  up  alive.  At  San  Jose  three  were  flushed  from  the 
same  spot,  where  they  were  evidently  spending  the  day  in  company. 

101.  Chordeiles  acutipennis  texensis  (Lawrence). 

The  only  example  of  this  species  met  with  was  at  Lake  Atitlan, 
where  it  was  discovered  in  a  tree  standing  in  a  field.  It  proved  to  be  a 
male  in  fine  plumage. 


Family    Micropodidae. 

102.  Streptoprocne  zonaris  (Shaw). 

This  great  swift  was  seen  once  or  twice  at  Los  Amates  in  January, 
flying  very  high  over  the  Motagua  River.  None  were  noted  again 
until  April,  when,  in  the  mountains  between  Lake  Atitlan  and  Tecpam, 
at  about  6,500  feet,  a  small  colony  was  discovered.  The  nesting  place 
was  a  cliff  of  friable  rock,  pierced  with  cavities  running  in  various 
directions.  A  vertical  tunnel,  or  flue,  elliptical  in  cross  section  and 
having  a  major  diameter  of  perhaps  twelve  feet,  was  evidently  the 


96  FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  — ORNITHOLOGY,  VOL.  I. 

home  of  this  colony,  as  they  were  seen  entering  and  leaving  the  lower 
end  of  the  flue,  which  is  some  fifty  feet  from  the  foot  of  the  overhanging 
cliff,  and  absolutely  inaccessible.  How  far  this  opening  extends 
upward  into  the  rock,  there  was  no  means  of  ascertaining.  It  seemed 
quite  dark,  and  evidently  does  not  continue  to  the  surface  above. 
The  birds  generally  flew  high,  but  early  in  the  morning  they  occasion- 
ally came  low  enough  for  a  shot.  Seven  specimens  were  secured,  all 
in  good  feather.  A  few  were  seen  above  Tecpam,  at  8,000  ft. 

103.  Chaetura  vauxii  (Townsend). 

At  Mazatenango  two  pairs  of  this  species  were  taken,  on  the  igth 
of  March,  from  a  flock  of  about  fifty.  A  moult  of  body  feathers  was 
in  progress  on  all  of  them.  The  rectrices  and  remiges,  however,  show 
no  sign  of  renewal.  Iris  dark  brown. 

104.  Cha.'tura  gaumeri  Lawrence. 

Two  specimens  of  this  swift  were  secured  at  Los  Amates  the  last 
of  January.  In  the  dense  vegetation  of  that  section  it  was  possible 
to  obtain  a  swift  only  by  bringing  it  down  as  it  passed  over  a  shallow 
stream.  Both  of  these  specimens  were  in  unabraded  plumage.  Iris 
dark  brown. 


Family    Trochilidse. 

. 

105.  Phsethornis  longirostris  (Lesson  &  Delattre). 

This  species  was  seen  only  at  Los  Amates  where  it  was  not  uncom- 
mon in  the  forest.  Only  one  specimen  was  secured.  Iris  dark  brown ; 
maxilla  black;  mandible  flesh  color;  feet  pale. 

106.  Phaethornis    adolphi  Gould. 

A  single  specimen  was  taken  in  the  swamps  near  Puerto  Barrios. 
None  were  observed  outside  the  tierra  caliente.  Iris  dark  brown; 
maxilla  and  distal  half  of  mandible  black;  basal  half  of  mandible 

yellow;  feet  pale. 

. 

107.  Campylopterus  rufus  Lesson. 

The  only  locality  where  this  fine  hummer  was  seen  was  near  Pana- 
jachel,  on  the  north  shore  of  Lake  Atitlan,  where  three  were  secured. 
They  frequented  a  sunny  portion  of  a  coffee  plantation.  This  was 
early  in  April,  when  the  coffee  bushes  were  blooming,  which  probably 


Nov.   1907.       BIRDS  FROM  GUATEMALA — DEARBORN.  97 

accounts  for  their  concentration  at  that  particular  spot.     Iris  dark 
brown. 

108.  Agytria  Candida  (Bourcier  &  Mulsante). 

This  species,  noticeable  on  account  of  its  white  underparts  in  con- 
trast to  the  prevailing  greenness  of  the  moist  lowlands,  was  frequently 
noticed  among  the  flowers  of  certain  vines  which  climb  to  the  tops  of 
the  trees  near  the  margins  of  clearings.  Three  specimens  were  taken 
at  Los  Amates.  None  were  observed  elsewhere.  Iris  dark  brown; 
maxilla  black;  mandible  pinkish;  feet  black. 

109.  Saucerottea  cyanura  gautemalae  subsp.  nov. 

Type,  No.  22,633,  c?  ad.,  Field  Museum  of  Natural  History;  col- 
lected at  Mazatenango,  Department  of  Suchitepequez,  Guatemala, 
by  N.  Dearborn,  March  i8th,  1906. 

Subspeciftc  Characters :  similar  to  5.  c.  cyanura  (Gould) ,  but  differs 
from  it  in  having :  nape  and  interscapular  region  bottle-green  instead 
of  grass-green;  rump,  middle  primary  coverts  and  greater  secondary 
coverts  purple-bronze,  instead  of  copper-bronze;  greater  primary 
coverts  black,  instead  of  bronze;  not  more  than  half  of  the  exposed 
portion  of  the  secondaries  chestnut,  instead  of  two-thirds  chestnut; 
and  the  chestnut  under  wing  coverts  tipped  with  dull  purple  for  at 
least  a  quarter  of  their  length,  instead  of  with  a  mere  trace  of  dull 
bronze. 

Description  of  type:  Crown,  nape  and  interscapulum  shining  bottle- 
green  ;  lower  back  purple-bronze  changing  to  shining  plum-purple  on 
the  rump;  upper  and  under  tail  coverts  and  rectrices  steel  blue; 
under  parts  glittering  grass-green;  thighs,  a  narrow  line  behind  the 
wings,  and  the  bases  of  the  chin-feathers,  white;  proximal  half  of  the 
secondaries  and  the  bases  of  all  but  the  three  outer  primaries,  chestnut ; 
outer  primaries  and  tips  of  secondaries  dusky •  purple;  under  wing 
coverts  chestnut,  tipped  with  dull  purple;  iris  dark  brown;  maxilla 
and  tip  of  mandible  black;  base  of  mandible  pale.  Wing  53  mm.; 
tail  31  mm.;  culmen,  entire,  21  mm.,  exposed,  18  mm.  An  adult 
female,  which  equals  the  type  in  size  has  the  feathers  of  the  chin 
slightly  edged  with  white,  and  those  of  the  abdomen  edged  with  gray. 
Otherwise  the  sexes  are  alike.  A  young  male,  taken  March  i5th,  has 
the  lower  breast  and  abdomen  gray,  but  is  like  adults  in  other  particu- 
lars. 

Remarks:  This  hummingbird  has  heretofore  been  included  with 
cyanura,  but  when  compared  with  specimens  of  that  species  from  the 


98  FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ORNITHOLOGY,  VOL.  I. 

type  region,  northwestern  Nicaragua,  the  differences  above  outlined 
are  readily  made  out.  This  new  form  will  undoubtedly  be  found  to 
intergrade  with  cyanura.  Seven  specimens  were  collected,  five  coming 
from  Mazatenango  and  two  from  Patulul. 

March  is  the  month  in  which  this  hummingbird  usually  finishes 
its  moult  of  remiges,  as  specimens  taken  in  this  month  have  imperfect 
wings,  while  most  of  those  taken  in  April  have  them  complete  and 
unabraded. 

110.  Saucerottea  devillii  (Bonder). 

Three  male  specimens  were  taken,  two  at  Patulul,  and  one  at  Lake 
Amatitlan.  This  last  specimen,  taken  February  25th,  has  copper- 
bronze  rectrices,  while  those  taken  at  Patulul  have  these  feathers 
bronze-purple.  Other  specimens'  in  this  Museum  show  a  similar 
variation  in  color.  Iris  dark  brown;  maxilla  and  tip  of  mandible 
black;  mandible,  except  tip,  flesh  color;  feet  black. 

111.  A  ma/.i  I  is  tzactl  (De  la  Lave] . 

This  species  was  found  only  at  Los  Amates,  where  three  males  were 
secured.  Iris  dark  brown;  bill  reddish  with  black  tip;  feet  black. 
An  immature  specimen  had  the  entire  maxilla  black. 

112.  Amazilis  cinnamomeus  (Lesson}. 

One  specimen  was  taken  at  Gualan  and  two  at  El  Rancho.  Appar- 
ently they  occupy  the  dry  belt  between  the  swamps  of  the  Atlantic 
slope  and  the  Cordillera.  Iris  dark  brown ;  bill  red  except  black  tip ; 
feet  dark. 

113.  Amazilis  cinnamomeus  saturatus  (Nelson). 

This  form  occupies  the  Pacific  slope  from  the  coast  up  to,  at  least, 
2,000  ft.  Three  were  taken  at  San  Jose,  one  at  Patulul,  and  three  at 
Mazatenango.  Iris  dark  brown;  maxilla  red  with  black  tip ;  mandi- 
ble pale  with  black  tip. 

114.  Hylocharis  leucotis  (Viettlof). 

Two  females  were  taken  near  Lake  Atitlan,  at  5,000  feet,  and 
another  above  Tecpam,  at  9,500  feet.  In  the  latter  locality  they  were 
found  in  little  openings  where  lumber  had  been  taken  out  of  the  cypress 
forests,  while  at  Lake  Atitlan  they  frequented  weedy  pastures.  Iris 
dark  brown. 


Nov.  1907.      BIRDS  FROM  GUATEMALA  —  DEARBORN. 


99 


115.  Chlorostilbon  caniveti   (Lesson). 

This  species  was  common  in  February  at  Gualan  where  it  was  busy 
with  the  flowers  of  a  leguminous  tree  planted  to  support  barbed  wire 
fences.  Four  males  were  taken  at  that  place.  A  female  was  taken  at 
San  Jose.  Iris  of  male  dark  brown ;  base  of  bill  dusky  red ;  tip  black. 

116.  Petasophora  thalassina  (Swainsori). 

Mr.  Barber  secured  a  single  specimen,  a  male,  at  9,500  feet,  near 
Tecpam  early  in  January. 

117.  Eugenes  fulgens  (Swainson). 

A  male  was  taken  at  7,500  feet,  near  Tecpam,  April  i4th.  It  was 
attending  flowers  of  an  agave.  It  was  near  the  completion  of  a  moult, 
the  outer  primaries  being  about  half  grown. 

118.  Lampornis  amethystinus  Swainson. 

Two  specimens  were  taken  above  Tecpam  at  9,600  feet  in  January 
by  Mr.  Barber.  Bill  black;  feet  flesh  color. 

119.  Lamprolaema  rhami  Lesson. 

A  male  of  this  species  was  taken  above  Tecpam  in  January  by  Mr. 
Barber. 

120.  Anthoscenus  superbus  pallidiceps  (Gould). 

This  species  was  very  common  in  March  about  the  hedges  of  legu- 
minous trees  in  the  vicinity  of  Mazatenango  and  Patulul.  Three  speci- 
mens were  secured  at  the  former  place  and  seven  at  the  latter,  the  sexes 
being  equally  represented  in  the  series.  Iris  dark  brown;  bill  black. 

121.  Trochilus  colubris  Linnaeus. 

A  female  was  taken  at  Gualan  on  the  i4th  of  February;  and  a 
male  was  taken  on  April  loth  at  Lake  Atitlan.  Neither  specimen 
shows  signs  of  moulting. 


Family    Cotiiigidse. 

122.  Tityra  semifasciata  personata  Jardine  &  Selby. 

This  species  was  not  seen  above  1,800  feet,  but  below  that  altitude 
it  was  rather  common.  Its  food,  so  far  as  could  be  seen,  consisted  of 
the  berries  of  certain  tall  trees.  Three  were  taken  at  Los  Amates,  one 
at  El  Rancho,  one  at  Manzatenango,  and  five  at  Patulul.  In  the 


ioo  FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ORNITHOLOGY,  VOL.    I 

series  are  five  adult  males,  one  immature  male,  two  adult  females, 
and  two  immature  females.  The  immature  male  was  moulting  into 
adult  plumage  when  taken,  March  24th.  None  of  the  adults  were 
moulting,  all  being  in  excellent  "feather.  Iris  madder-brown,  basal 
half  of  bill  and  bare  loral  and  ocular  areas  carmine. 

123.  Erator  albitorques  fraseri  (Kaup). 

The  only  example  of  this  bird  that  was  recognized,  was  brought 
down  from  the  top  of  a  pine  tree  at  Los  Amates.  It  was  a  female  in 
unworn  plumage.  Iris  dark  brown;  maxilla  black;  mandible  and 
feet  horn-blue. 

124.  Platypsaris  aglaiae  sumichrasti  Nelson 

One  was  taken  at  Mazatenango  and  five  at  Patulul,  four  of  the 
series  being  females  and  the  other  two  immature  males.  No  adult 
males  were  seen,  nor  were  any  of  this  species  seen  at  other  than  the 
two  localities  named.  They  were  found  in  isolated  trees  or  on  the 
outskirts  of  woodland  behaving  very  like  flycatchers  (Tyrannidce). 
Iris  dark  brown. 

125.  Lipaugus  holerythrus  Sclater  &  Salvin. 

A  single  specimen,  taken  at  Los  Amates,  was  the  only  one  observed. 

126.  Attila  citreopygus  salvini  Ridgway. 

One  specimen  was  taken  at  Los  Amates,  one  at  San  Jose,  one  at 
Patulul  and  two  at  Mazatenango.  There  is  considerable  variation  in 
color  among  the  series  of  four  males  taken  on  the  Pacific  slope,  which 
is  hardly  attributable  to  a  difference  in  age.  In  fact,  no  two  of  them 
have  the  interscapular  region  of  the  same  shade  of  brown.  Iris  orange. 

127.  Cotinga  amabilis  Gould. 

One  adult  male,  three  immature  males  and  one  female  were  taken 
at  Los  Amates  where  they  where  found  feeding  on  berries  of  some 
small  trees.  None  were  seen  elsewhere.  Iris  blue-gray. 


Family 

128.  Pipra  mental  is  Sclater. 

At  Los  Amates,  this  pipra  was  rather  common  in  the  thick  forest. 
It  was  usually  flitting  about  the  lower  branches,  and  displayed  con- 


Nov.  1907.       BIRDS  FROM  GUATEMALA — DEARBORN.  101 

siderable  activity.  Two  males  and  three  females  were  secured.  One 
of  the  females,  No.  22,669,  nas  two  feathers  on  her  head  which  are  red 
on  one  side  of  the  rachis,  and  green  on  the  other.  Iris,  of  male  pale 
straw,  of  female  dark  brown;  maxilla  horn-color;  mandible  pale; 
feet  pale. 

129.  Chiroprion  linearis  (Bonaparte"). 

Near  Mazatenango,  this  engaging  bird  was  in  the  heavy  timber, 
where  its  bell-like  notes  were  often  the. only  evidence  of  its  presence 
obtainable.  The  only  other  locality  in  which  it  was  found  was  near 
Patulul.  Here  it  frequented  scrub-land,  which,  in  April,  is  mainly 
bare  of  leaves,  and  "a  better  opportunity  of  observing  its  habits  was 
offered.  They  are  active  but  not  diligent,  being  concerned  with  social 
matters  for  the  most  part,  rather  than  with  those  that  are  economical. 
One  is  seen  to  alight  upon  a  small  branch.  Directly,  another  drops 
down  beside  him.  Both  raise  their  crimson  crests  and  bow  very  low 
several  times,  turning  about  as  they  do  so,  minuet  fashion.  A  third 
and  possibly  a  fourth,  all  males,  may  join  in  the  performance,  their 
regalia  in  crimson,  black,  orange  and  pale  blue  being  fluffed  and 
flaunted,  as  they  salute  opposites  and  corners.  Ventriloqual  sounds, 
weirdly  clear,  hard  to  analyse  or  place,  intersperse  these  proceedings. 
Suddenly  one  is  gone,  then  another,  and  another,  and  the  charm  of  the 
jlen  has  gone  with  them.  They  appear  to  go  singly,  and  yet  to  move 
in  the  same  direction,  so  these  meetings  are  frequent.  By  standing  in 
a  favorable  place,  one  may  witness  two  or  three  meetings  in  the  same 
locality  in  an  hour.  Seven  males  and  two  females  were  taken  in  all. 
Iris  dark  brown;  legs  orange. 

130.  Manacus  candaei  Parzudaki. 

The  only  specimen  of  this  manakin  encountered  was  at  Puerto 
Barrios.  Its  whizzing  flight  led  to  its  discovery.  It  was  a  male  in 
adult  plumage.  Iris  dark  brown ;  legs  orange. 

131.  Scotothorus  verae=pacis  (Sdatef). 

A  female  was  taken  at  Los  Amates.     Iris  brown. 


Family    Tyraimiclre. 

132.  Rhynchocyclus  cinereiceps  (Sdater). 

This  flycatcher  was  rarely  seen,  only  one  male  and  two  females 


102  FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY — ORNITHOLOGY,  VOL.  I. 

being  taken  in  all,  and  only  one  in  a  place;  Los  Amates,  Mazatenango 
and  Patulul  being  the  localities  from  which  they  were  taken.  They 
seem  to  prefer  dense  woods  to  open  situations.  In  appearance  they 
resemble  the  Empidonaces.  Iris  pale  straw  color;  maxilla  horn- 
blue;  mandible  pale;  feet  pale  horn-blue. 

133.  Todirostrum  cinerium  finitimum  Bangs. 

In  the  tierra  caliente  on  both  sides  of  the  country,  this  species 
was  found  in  bushes  or  low  trees  in  open  situations.  Two  were  taken 
at  Los  Amates  and  four  at  San  Jose.  A  female  from  the  latter  locality 
has  a  white  spot  on  the  crown.  The  back  of  this  specimen  is  olive- 
green  and  the  under  parts  are  canary  yellow.  Four  others  have  the 
olive-green  back  of  a  duller  tone,  ranging  toward  plumbeous,  while 
the  remaining  specimen  has  the  interscapular  area  slate  gray,  only 
the  rump  showing  a  tinge  of  olive-green;  and  the  under  parts  are  a 
paler  yellow  than  is  on  any  of  the  others.  This  gray  specimen 
matches  very  closely  others  in  this  Museum  from  Colombia.  Iris 
straw  color. 

134.  Oncostoma  cinereigulare  (Sclater}. 

The  only  specimen  obtained,  or  seen,  was  taken  in  heavy  timber 
on  the  side  of  a  mountain  near  Patulul. 

135.  Pipromorpha  assimiles  (Sclater}. 

This  species  is  represented  in  the  collection  by  a  single  specimen  j 
taken  near  Patulul,  in  thick  woods.     No  others  were  observed. 

136.  Eleenia  viridicata  placens  (Sclater}. 

At  Los  Amates,  San  Jose*  and  Mazatenango,  this  flycatcher  was 
rather  common,  but  none  were  observed  higher  than  about  1,200  feet. 
Six  specimens  were  taken,  each  of  the  above  named  localities  being 
represented.  Iris  dark  brown. 

137.  EUenia  flavogastra  suh-pagana  Sclater  &  Salvin. 

Three  specimens  were  taken  at  Lake  Atitlan,  none  being  seen 
elsewhere.  Apparently  it  prefers  high,  open  situations.  Iris  dark 
brown. 

138.  Myiozetetes  similis  superciliosus  (Bonaparte}. 

This  noisy  flycatcher  was  taken  at  Los  Amates,  Gualan,  Patulul 
and  Lake  Amatitlan;  seven  specimens  all  told.  They  were  usually] 
in  pairs,  in  exposed  situations,  where  sunshine  and  flying  insects  are 


Nov.   1907.       BIRDS  FROM  GUATEMALA — DEARBORN.  103 

abundant.  As  often  as  one  alights  near  another,  there  is  an  outburst 
of  salutations  that  can  be  heard  all  over  the  neighborhood.  Iris 
dark  brown. 

139.  Pitangus  sulphuratus  derbianus  (Kaup). 

Derby  flycatchers  were  not  noticed  above  4,000  feet,  but  they 
were  rather  common  up  to  that  altitude.  They  sat  where  they  could 
see  all  about  them,  and  acted  very  much  like  our  northern  kingbird 
in  preferring  roadsides,  pastures  and  shores  to  more  densely  wooded 
places.  Three  specimens  were  taken,  one  at  Los  Amates,  one  at  Lake 
Amatitlan,  and  one  at  Mazatenango.  Iris  dark  brown. 

140.  Myiodynastes  luteiventris  Sclater. 

The  only  place  where  the  sulphur-bellied  flycatcher  Was  found 
was  near  Patulul,  where  it  frequented  woodland  which  had  been 
thinned  and  planted  to  coffee.  Here,  for  the  most  part,  they  re- 
mained very  high,  in  the  tops  of  the  enormous  trees  that  had  been 
left  to  shade  the  coffee  saplings.  Only  two  were  secured.  Iris 
dark  brown. 

141.  Megarhynchus  pitangua  mexicanus  (Lafresnay) . 

A  common  bird  below  2,000  feet.  Specimens,  seven  in  all,  were 
taken  at  Los  Amates,  El  Rancho,  Patulul  and  Mazatenango.  So 
far  as  could  be  observed  it  subsists  mainly  on  berries.  The  colors 
and  their  distribution  on  this  flycatcher,  as  seen  at  a  distance,  are 
remarkably  like  those  pertaining  to  Pitangus  and  Myiozetetes,  so 
much  so  that  until  one  has  become  somewhat  familiar  with  the  notes 
and  manners  of  each  of  these  species,  he  finds  it  difficult  to  decide 
which  he  sees.  A  female  taken  March  i8th,  contained  an  egg  that 
would  have  been  ready  for  depositing'in  two  or  three  days.  A  nest 
found  about  April  ist,  at  Patulul,  was  saddled  on  a  bare  branch 
about  40  feet  above  the  ground,  and  about  8  feet  from  the  body  of 
the  tree,  safely  out  of  the  reach  of  everything  unable  to  fly.  One 
or  both  of  the  birds  were  by  it  constantly.  This  species  feeds  freely 
on  berries.  Iris  dark  brown. 

142.  Onychorhynchus  mexicanus  Sclater. 

Mr.  Barber  obtained  one  specimen  and  saw  another  at  Patulul. 
Both  were  in  rather  thick  woods.  Iris  hazel;  maxilla  black;  mandi- 
ble wax  yellow  at  base,  shading  to  brownish  at  tip;  legs  and  feet 
clay  color. 


104  FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ORNITHOLOGY,  VOL.  T. 

143.  Terenotriccus  erythrurus  fulvigularis  (Salvin  &  Godman). 

A  single  specimen  was  secured  near  Los  Amates.  This  appears 
to  extend  the  range  of  the  species,  as  hitherto  reported,  considerably 
to  the  northward. 

144.  Sayornis  nigricans  aquatica  (Sclater  &  Salvin). 

A  young  bird  just  out  of  the  nest  was  taken  at  Lake  Atitlan 
April  8th.  At  6,500  feet,  near  Tecpam,  a  pair  of  adults  was  secured. 
These  specimens  have  under  tail  coverts  mottled,  black  and  white. 
The  nest  at  Lake  Atitlan  was  sheltered  beneath  the  eaves  of  a  house. 
All  that  were  seen  were  near  water,  and  every  movement  was  similar 
to  that  of  S.  ph&be  here  in  the  States.  Iris  dark  brown. 

145.  Empidonax  fulvifrons  fusciceps  Nelson. 

This  little  flycatcher  was  not  seen  below  5,000  feet,  but  between 
that  altitude  and  about  7,500  feet,  it  was  not  uncommon.     Three  were 
taken  at  Lake  Atitlan  and  two  in  a  valley  between  there  and  Tecpam. 
It  frequents  roadsides  and  pastures  where  there  are  scattered  bushes   ' 
to  perch  upon  and  to  harbor  winged  insects.     Iris  dark  brown. 

146.  Empidonax  trailii  (Attdubon) . 

Seven  Trail's  flycatchers  were  taken,  Los  Amates,  Mazatenango  and  j 
San  Jose  being  the  localities  from  which  they  were  obtained.     None  ' 
were  noticed  in  the  highlands.     All  of  this  series  are  easily  referable 
to  this  subspecies,  none  being  so  dark  as  alnorum.     The  January 
specimens,  as  well  as  those  taken  in  March,  with  one  exception,  were  j 
in  abraded  plumage.     Iris  dark  brown. 

147.  Empidonax  minimus  (Baird}. 

The  least  flycatcher  winters  abundantly  in  Guatemala.  Sixteen  j 
specimens  were  obtained,  representing  Los  Amates,  El  Rancho,  Lake  •! 
Amatitlan,  Patulul,  San  Jose",  Mazatenango  and  Lake  Atitlan.  Those  ] 
taken  in  March  had  pin  feathers  on  crown  and  throat,  and  were  evi-  I 
dently  beginning  to  assume  the  nuptial  dress.  Iris  dark  brown;  1 
maxilla  black;  mandible  pale. 

148.  Empidonax  flaviventris  (Baird). 

Yellow-bellied  flycatchers  were  found  at  Los  Amates  in  January,  j 
but  they  did  not  seem  to  be  very  common.     The  last  of  March  and  1 
early  in  April  they  were  plentiful  in  Mazatenango  and  Patulul.     It 
is  probable  they  were  then  migrating  northward,  and  that  the  major- 


Nov.   1907.       BIRDS  FROM  GUATEMALA — DEARBORN.  105 

ity  pass  the  winter  somewhat  farther  south.  One,  taken  March  3oth, 
and  another  April  4th,  were  just  completing  the  renewal  of  their 
primary  quills.  All  of  the  March  specimens  had  the  remiges  partly 
renewed.  Eleven  were  obtained  in  all.  Iris  dark  brown. 

149.  Empidonax  salvini  Ridgway. 

A  single  specimen  of  this  species  was  taken  near  Tecpam,  at 
9,500  feet. 

150.  Empidonax  hammondi  (Xantus}. 

The  only  individual  encountered  was  near  Tecpam,  at  6,500  feet, 
on  the  1 2th  of  April. 

151.  Empidonax  trepidus  Nelson. 

One  specimen  was  taken  in  January  near  Tecpam,  at  9,500  feet, 
by  Mr.  Barber. 

152.  Myiochanes  pertinax  (Cabanis  &  Heine). 

At  Lake  Atitlan  and  along  the  road  from  there  to  Tecpam  this 
species  was  not  uncommon.  It  was  not  seen  below  5,000  feet.  It 
frequents  solitary  trees  and  acts  very  much  like  its  congeners  here 
in  the  States.  Nine  specimens  were  taken,  all  in  the  second  week 
of  April.  No  sign  of  moulting  is  visible  on  any  of  them.  Iris  dark 
brown. 

153.  Myiochanes  richardsonii  (Swainsori). 

One  specimen  was  taken  at  Lake  Atitlan  April  8th.  No  others 
were  noticed. 

154.  Myiochanes  brachytarsus  (Sclater). 

Although  an  especial  effort  was  made  to  capture  every  small 
flycatcher  that  could  possibly  be  obtained,  none  of  this  species  were 
taken  on  the  Atlantic  slope.  On  the  Pacific  side;  however,  it  was  not 
uncommon.  Two  specimens  were  taken  at  San  Jose',  three  at  Patulul, 
and  one  at  Mazatenango.  Iris  dark  brown. 

155.  Myiarchus  crinitus  (Linnaus). 

Two  were  taken  late  in  January  at  Los  Amates  and  another  at 
Gualan  February  i5th.  None  were  seen  on  the  Pacific  side.  Iris 
dark  brown. 

156.  Myiarchus  cinerascens  (Lawrence}. 

Three  were  taken  at  El  Rancho  in  January;   and  at  Lake  Atitlan, 


io6  FIELD  MUSEUM  OP  NATURAL  HISTORY — ORNITHOLOGY,  VOL.  I. 

two  on  February  26th,  and  one  on  the  nth  of  March,  making  six  in 
all.  Its  habitat  appears  to  be  confined  to  the  hillsides,  where,  during 
the  dry  season,  the  trees  are  quite  bare  of  leaves,  and  the  earth  is 
baked.  It  appears  probable  that  the  winter  range  of  crinitus,  which 
is  in  the  moist  lowlands,  overlaps  that  of  cinerascens  but  little,  if  any. 

157.  Myiarchus  nuttingi  Ridgway. 

Three  were  secured  at  El' Rancho,  where  they  were  found  on  the 
dry  hillsides,  in  company  with  the  last  species.  Two  others  were 
taken  at  San  Jose".  The  El  Rancho  specimens  have,  at  most,  only 
a  trace  of  dusky  at  the  tip  of  the  inner  web  of  the  outer  rectrices. 
Those  from  San  Jose"  have  nearly  a  third  of  the  width  of  this  web 
lying  next  to  the  rachis,  dusky.  All  of  the  rectrices,  of  these  latter 
specimens  have  a  conspicuous  dusky  line  on  the  inner  web,  and  thus 
resemble  the  specimen  mentioned  by  Nelson*,  which  came  from  "the 
boundary  line  between  Nicaragua  and  Honduras,  180  miles  from  the 
Pacific  coast."  Except  in  this  particular,  there  does  not  appear  to 
be  any  difference  between  the  birds  from  the  two  localities  above  \ 
named.  Iris  dark  brown;  bill  dark  horn  color;  feet  black. 

158.  Myiarchus  mexicanus  (Kaup). 

A  single  example  was  collected  at  Los  Amates. 

159.  Myiarchus  lawrenceii  (Giraud). 

A  common  species  in  moist  situations  up  to  at  least  5,000  feet. 
Seventeen  specimens  were  obtained,  representing  the  following  local-    j 
ities:    Los  Amates,  Lake  Amatitlan,  Lake  Atitlan,  Patulul  and  San 
Jose".     Two  of  these  specimens,  taken  at  Lake  Atitlan  in  February,   I 
show  comparatively  little  contrast  between  pileum  and  back.     These  j 
were  probably  migrants  from   Mexico,   as  they  agree   quite  closely  1 
with  a  Nuevo  Leon  specimen.     All  the  rest,  including  an  April  bird    j 
from  Lake  Atitlan,  are  intermediate  in  size  and  color  between  typical   1 
lawrenceii  and  nigricapillus,  one  from  Los  Amates,  No.  22,741,  being 
decidedly  nearer  the  latter  form  than  the  former.     Iris  dark  brown;    j 
bill  and  feet  black. 
' 

160.  Tyrannus  verticalis  Say. 

Three  were  collected  at  El  Rancho,  where  they  were  rather  com-    j 
mon  in  January,  and  another  at  Patulul.     Iris  dark  brown;   bill  and 
feet  black. 

*Proceedings  of  the  Biological  Society  of  Washington,  vol.  xvii  (1904),  p.  38;  North  American     1 
Mainland  Myiarchus. 


Nov.   1907.       BIRDS  FROM  GUATEMALA  —  DEARBORN.  107 

161.  Tyrannus  melancholicus  satrapa  (Cabanis  &  Heine). 

Six  were  collected, —  Los  Amates,  El  Rancho,  Lake  Amatitlan 
and  Patulul  being  represented  in  the  series.  Iris  dark  brown;  bill 
and  feet  black. 


162.  Muscivora  forficata  (Gmeliri). 

Examples  were  seen  at  Patulul,  near  San  Jose,  and  at  Lake 
Atitlan.  One  was  secured  at  the  last  named  place.  They  were 
invariably  in  the  tops  of  high,  isolated  trees  and  were  very  wary. 


Family    Deiidrocolaptidse. 

163.  Synallaxis  erythrothorax  Sclater. 

Six  specimens  were  taken  at  Los  Amates,  one  at  Patulul  and  one 
at  San  Jose.  The  two  from  the  Pacific  side  are  decidedly  paler  than 
those  from  Los  Amates.  The  backs  of  the  former  are  dark  broccoli 
brown;  the  tails  are  chestnut;  the  throats  are  steel-gray,  without 
well  defined  white  streaks.  Of  the  latter  series,  the  backs  are  bistre ; 
the  tails  seal  brown;  the  throats  slate-black  with  well  defined  white 
stripes.  The  pale  specimens  have  shorter  bills  than  the  dark  series, 
which  may  indicate  that  they  are  not  fully  mature.  The  material 
at  hand  is  not  sufficient  to  determine  the  significance  of  the  differences 
here  mentioned.  The  habits  of  this  bird  are  altogether  different  from 
those  of  the  more  typical  forms  of  Dendrocolaptidce.  A  thick  growth 
of  low  bushes  by  the  side  of  a  path  or  a  railroad  is  its  favorite  cover. 
It  hurries  from  one  clump  of  bushes  to  another,  and  calls  and  hides, 
and  peeps  out  and  darts  back  like  a  wren,  which,  indeed,  its  color 
and  manner  of  flight,  as  well  as  its  actions,  closely  imitate.  This 
species  is  common  at  low  altitudes,  but  the  collector  who  takes  it 
must  be  a  patient  waiter.  Iris  dark  brown. 

164.  Qlyphorhynchus  cuneatus  (Lichtenstein] . 

A  single  example,  taken  at  Los  Amates,  was  the  only  one  noted. 
This  specimen,  a  male,  has  the  diagnostic  characters  of  Sclater's 
pectoralis*  which  has  of  late  fallen  into  synonymy.  However,  the 
pale  spots  on  its  breast  are  decidedly  wider  and  the  area  they  occupy 
is  greater  than  on  any  of  the  9  skins  from  Costa  Rica,  17  from  Nicara- 

*Glyphorhynchus  pectoralis  Sclater;  Proceedings  of  the  Zoological  Society  of  London,  Part 
XXVIII  (1860),  p.  299. 


io8  FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  — ORNITHOLOGY,  VOL.  I. 

gua  and  i  from  Brazil,  with  which  it  has  been  compared.  A  specimen 
from  "Mexico" —  exact  locality  unknown  —  is  similar  to  it  in  regard 
to  the  breast  spots,  but  'differs  in  being  darker  on  the  upper  parts. 
Iris  dark  brown. 

165.  Dendrocincla  anabatina  Sclater. 

Three  specimens  were  taken  at  Los  Amates,  where  the  species  is  • 
not  uncommon.  Iris  brown. 

166.  Sittasomus  sylvioides  Lafresnay. 

Two  were  taken  at  Los  Amates  and  four  at  Patulul.  In  the  latter  i 
locality  they  were  found  searching  the  crevices  in  the  bark  of  the  ', 
large  trees  left  to  shade  the  coffee.  Iris  dark  brown. 

167.  Dendrornis  flavigaster  (Swainsori). 

Three  skins  and  a  skeleton  were  brought  from  Los  Amates  and 
two  skins  from  Patulul.  Those  from  the  last  named  locality  are 
darker  above  and  below,  excepting  their  throats,  which,  to  the  con- 
trary, are  paler.  There  is  also  a  difference  in  size,  indicated  by 
wing  measurements: 

(  Cowing  118  m. 

Los  Amates     •<  cT    "      118  "  p.,+,,1,,1  I  9  wing  103 

(  9  109  "  ull  9  98 

Iris  dark  brown ;  maxilla  pale  horn ;  mandible  whitish ;  feet  horn-blue.   ] 


168.  Dendrornis  nana  confinis  Bangs. 

A  pair  was  taken  at  Los  Amates.     They  have  the  throat  much 
paler  than  specimens  from  Costa  Rica  and  Panama,   and  therein   j 
confirm  Mr.  Bangs'  diagnosis  of  his  subspecies  confinis.     Iris  dark   ] 
brown;  maxilla  black;  mandible  pale;  feet  horn  color. 

169.  Picolaptes  affinis  (Lafresnay}. 

A  single  specimen  was  taken  by  Mr.  Barber  near  Tecpam,  at    -] 

9,500  feet,  in  January.     None  were  seen  elsewhere. 

•  • 

170.  Picolaptes  compressus  (Cabanis}. 

One  specimen  was  taken  at  Mazatenango,  one  at  San  Jose,  and  ! 
three  at  Patulul.  They  are  all  slightly  darker  above  than  a  series  1 
from  western  Nicaragua  collected  at  the  same  time  of  year. 


Nov.   1907.       BIRDS  FROM  GUATEMALA — DEARBORN.  109 


Family  Formicariidse. 

171.  Thamnophilus  doliatus  (Linnceus). 

This  species  was  found  very  common  at  Los  Amates,  where  six 
were  collected,  and  not  rare  elsewhere  up  to  about  4,000  feet,  one 
being  taken  at  Lake  Amatitlan  and  one  at  San  Jose.  It  was  found 
in  dense  underbrush  making  its  way  among  the  branches,  in  pairs, 
"as  a  rule.  Its  crest  was  frequently  fluffed  up,  which  gave  it  a  striking 
appearance.  Iris  straw;  maxilla  black,  and  mandible  horn-blue, 
both  sexes;  feet  horn-blue. 

172.  Formicivora  boucardi  Sclater. 

This  species  was  rather  common  at  Los  Amates,  where  it  appeared 
in  pairs  or  flocks,  searching  foliage  after  the  manner  of  Mniotiltidce. 
They  frequent  the  bambus  especially.  Two  specimens,  one  of  each 
sex,  were  collected.  Iris  dark  brown;  bill  black,  except  for  a  tomial 
streak  of  blue  affecting  both  maxilla  and  mandible;  feet  horn-blue. 

173.  Rhamphocasnus  rufiventris  (Bonaparte). 

A  single  specimen,  the  only  one  seen,  was  secured  at  Los  Amates. 
It  was  flitting  about  near  the  ground  in  thick  woods. 

174.  Cercomacra  crepera  Bangs. 

This  species  was  met  only  at  Los  Amates,  where  four  specimens 
were  collected.  Both  sexes  are  slightly  darker  than  other  specimens 
from  Nicaragua  and  Costa  Rica.  Iris,  male  dark  brown,  female  light 
brown;  maxilla,  both  sexes,  black;  mandible,  male  black,  female 
pale;  feet  horn-blue. 

175.  Gymnocichla  chiroleuca  Sclater  &  Salvin. 

A  pair  was  found  in  a  bambu  thicket  bor4ering  a  stream,  and 
both  were  secured.  They  kept  among  the  lower  branches  and  seemed 
almost  fearless.  Bare  forehead  and  ocular  region  French  blue;  iris 
maroon;  bill  and  feet  horn-blue. 


Family    Corvidw. 

176.  Calocitta  formosa  azurea  Nelson. 

Two  specimens  were  taken  at  El  Rancho,  one  at  Gualan,  three 


no  FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY — ORNITHOLOGY,  VOL.  I. 

at  Mazatenango,  two  at  Patulul,  and  one  at  San  Jose.  These  speci- 
mens present  so  much  variation  in  color  that  the  entire  series  of  the 
species  formosa  in  this  Museum  has  been  brought  in  for  comparison. 
Aside  from  the  Guatemalan  specimens,  there  are  six  from  Apipiluluca, 
Guerrero,  and  one  from  San  Geronomo,  Oaxaca,  Mexico;  one  from 
Salvador;  two  from  San  Raphael  del  Norte,  Jinotega,  nine  from 
San  Geronomo,  Chinandega,  and  one  from  San  Emilis,  Lake  Nicara- 
gua, Nicaragua;  and  one  frofn  Orosi,  northwestern  Costa  Rica.  The 
half  dozen  from  Guerrero  have  more  or  less  black  on  the  occiput, 
black  malar  patches,  and  bluish  gray  backs.  These  are  C.  f.  formosa. 
The  Oaxaca  specimen  and  those  from  Guatemala,  Salvador,  Nicaragua 
and  Costa  Rica  have  no  black  on  either  occiput  or  malar  region,  and 
are  thus  clearly  differentiated  from  C.  f.  formosa  by  these  characters. 
They  are  not,  however,  all  distinguishable  from  C.  f.  formosa  by  the 
color  of  their  backs.  Only  those  from  the  Pacific  side  of  western 
Guatemala  have  their  upper  parts  so  dark  blue  as  to  be  conspicuously 
different  from  it  in  this  respect.  This  dark  blue  form  is  typical  of 
Mr.  Nelson's  C.  f.  azurea.  The  specimens  from  San  Raphael  del 
Norte,  Nicaragua,  are  as  gray  above,  as  those  from  Guerrero  taken 
in  the  same  month, —  that  is  to  say,  as  gray  as  C.  f.  formosa.  The 
specimens  from  Gualan,  El  Rancho,  Salvador,  and  Oaxaca  are  all 
nearer  gray  than  blue  above,  while  those  from  Orosi  and  Chinandega 
are  intermediate  between  the  extremes  of  blue  and  gray  of  this  blue- 
crowned,  immaculate-cheeked  aggregate,  which  is  conveniently  in- 
cluded under  the  name  azurea.  While  there  is  no  difficulty  in  dis- 
tinguishing the  pale  interior  form  from  the  darker  blue  azurea,  which 
occurs  in  its  typical  state  only  along  the  Pacific  slope  of  Chiapas  and 
western  Guatemala,  specimens  from  the  Pacific  coast  region  from 
southern  Guatemala  to  northern  Costa  Rica  are  intermediates  between 
the  two  types,  and  the  systematic  ornithologist  would  probably  find 
the  worry  of  disposing  of  these,  so  great  as  to  outweigh  the  satisfac- 
tion of  recognizing  a  color  variant  by  name. 

The  map  relating  to  the  distribution  of  the  races  of  Calocitta 
formosa  is  based  mainly  upon  specimens  in  this  Museum.  Material 
to  fix  the  eastward  extension  of  C.  f.  formosa  is  not  available.  Azurea 
is  represented  by  the  letter  A,  the  type  locality  being  indicated  by  a 
circle.  The  letter  X  shows  three  points  from  which  have  come 
specimens  of  the  pale  form,  which  has  unspotted  malar  areas.  These 
latter  localities  are  all  east  of  the  mountain  chain  that  parallels  the 
Pacific  coast,  and  at  least  two  of  them, —  that  is  to  say,  the  interior 
of  Guatemala  and  eastern  Oaxaca, —  have  a  semi-arid,  cactus-bearing 


1907.       BIRDS  FROM  GUATEMALA  —  DEARBORN.  in 

soil,  quite  different  from  the  habitat  of  typical  azurea.  Specimens 
from  localities  marked  I  are  intermediate  between  typical  azurea  and 
the  pale  interior  form. 

177.  Psilorhinus  mexicanus  cyanogenys  Gray. 

Two  of  this  species  were  collected  at  Izabel  by  Heller  and  Barber, 
and  four  were  collected  by  the  writer  at  Los  Amates.  It  was  abundant 
and  noisy  in  the  latter  locality.  None  were  found  elsewhere.  Two 
of  these  specimens  were  evidently  immature,  having  yellow  bills  and 
feet.  Their  bills  had  begun  at  the  apex  and  along  the  culmen  to 
turn  black,  and  their  feet  were  growing  dusky  from  the  ankle  down- 
ward. These  jays  moved  about  in  flocks,  keeping  close  to  the  shelter 
of  the  woods.  Iris  dark  brown ;  bill  and  feet  of  immature  birds  yellow, 
of  adults  black. 

178.  Xanthoura  luxuosa  vivida  Ridgway. 

Two  were  taken  near  Patulul,  the  only  locality  in  which  this  jay 
was  seen.  Here  it  kept  in  the  tops  of  high  trees  in  heavy  timber, 
and  was  rarely  seen  or  heard.  Iris  yellow. 

179.  Cissolopha  melanocyanea  (Hartlaub). 

This  species  was  first  seen  at  Fiscal,  some  20  miles  from  Guatemala 
City,  on  the  road  from  El  Rancho.  Four  were  secured  at  Lake  Ama- 
titlan  and  three  at  Lake  Atitlan.  Others  were  seen  at  about  6,000 
feet  on  the  way  from  the  latter  lake  to  Tecpam,  the  vertical  range 
being  approximately  from  4,000  to  6,000  feet.  This  jay  was  usually 
seen  in  roadside  shrubbery  and  in  thickets  of  small  trees.  Iris  greenish 
yellow;  bill  of  adults  black,  of  immature  specimens,  more  or  less 
yellow. 

180.  Cyanocitta  stelleri  coronata  Swainson. 

Seven  birds  were  taken  in  the  neighborhood  of  Tecpam  at  altitudes 
varying  from  6,500  to  9,500  feet,  and  a  nest  with  a  set  of  four  eggs 
was  secured  near  Chimaltenango,  on  the  road  from  Tecpam  to  Guate- 
mala City,  April  i6th.  This  nest,  which  is  made  principally  of  grass, 
and  strengthened  around  the  outside  by  having  a  few  oak  twigs  woven 
in,  was  set  in  a  crotch  of  a  small  oak  tree  about  15  feet  from  the 
ground.  The  tree  had  no  leaves,  as  the  dry  season  was  still  on, 
so  the  nest  and  the  sitting  bird  were  in  full  view  to  all  who  passed 
that  way.  The  embryos  were  large  and  one  of  the  eggs  was  ruined 
in  blowing,  but  the  other  three  and  the  nest  were  tied  up  in  a  focusing 


ii2  FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY — ORNITHOLOGY,  VOL.  I. 

cloth  and  bound  to  the  back  of  the  saddle,  where  they  endured  the 
.  forty-mile  journey  to  Guatemala  City  in  safety.  The  nest  measures 
20  cm.  (8  in.)  in  extreme  diameter  and  9  cm.  (3^  in.)  in  height. 
The  interior  diameter  is  10  cm.  (4  in.)  and  depth  4  cm.  (i^  in.).  The 
lining  is  composed  of  pine  needles,  fine  rootlets  and  a  few  hairs.  The 
eggs  average  29  x  22  mm.  and  are  pale  Nile  blue  specked  with  hair 
brown.  This  jay  was  found  only  where  there  were  evergreens  —  pines 
or  cypress.  The  lower  limit  of  their  range  appears  to  coincide  almost 
exactly  with  that  of  the  upper  limit  of  Cissolopha.  Iris  dark  brown; 
legs  and  bill  black. 


Family  Ictericlre. 

181.  Zarhynchus  wagleri  mexicanus  Ridgway. 

At  Finca  Chapulco  near  Los  Amates,  a  large  flock  of  this  species 
passed  night  and  morning  nearly  over  the  house.  On  account  of 
their  large  size  and  yellow  tails  they  were  not  at  first  distinguished 
from  Gymnostinops,  but  after  it  was  discovered  that  both  species 
were  present,  the  more  undulating  flight  of  this  one  served  to  establish 
its  identity  as  far  as  it  could  be  seen.  Only  one  specimen  was  ob- 
tained. Iris  blue ;  bill  yellow  at  base  and  horn-blue  at  tip ;  feet  black. 

182.  Gymnostinops  montezuma  (Lesson). 

Five  skins  and  a  skeleton  were  obtained  at  Los  Amates,  where 
this  species  was  very  plentiful.  Morning  and  evening  these  birds 
were  assembled  in  flocks  evidently  owing  to  their  habit  of  passing  the 
night  in  company,  but  during  the  day  it  was  not  at  all  uncommon 
to  find  single  birds  feeding  alone  in  the  deep  swamp  forest  and  occa- 
sionally uttering  their  guttural  notes.  A  few  were  seen  at  Gualan. 
Iris  dark  brown;  basal  half  of  bill  black,  distal  half  red;  bare  malar 
and  post-ocular  areas  flesh  color;  bare  forehead  and  sides  of  throat 
pale  rose-purple. 

183.  Amblycercus  holosericeus  (Lichtensteiri) . 

Nine  skins  and  a  skeleton.  Specimens  were  taken  at  Los  Amates, 
Lake  Amatitlan,  Lake  Atitlan,  Patulul  and  San  Jose".  From  both 
coasts  up  to  5,000  feet  it  is  common.  It  is  a  busy  and  unsuspicious 
bird,  which  spends  its  time  in  investigating  tangles  of  brush  and  vines, 
and  in  chiseling  its  way  into  hard  things  with  its  bill  like  a  wood- 
pecker. Its  pale  bill  and  eyes  give  it  a  peculiar  look.  The  enormous 


Nov.  1907.       BIRDS  FROM  GUATEMALA — DEARBORN.  113 

development  of  its  jaw  muscles  is  remarkable.     Iris  and  bill  straw 
color;  feet  horn-blue. 

184.  Tangavius  involucratus  (Lesson). 

This  species  was  first  noted  at  El  Rancho,  but  none  were  obtained 
there  for  the  reason  that  they  were  never  encountered  outside  of  the 
village.  One  specimen  was  taken  at  Lake  Atitlan  and  three  others 
at  Tecpam.  One  of  the  latter,  an  immature  male,  taken  April  isth, 
was  beginning  to  moult  around  the  bill;  otherwise  all  were  in  firm 
feather.  Iris  carmine  in  an  adult  male,  reddish  brown  in  an  immature 
male,  and  dark  brown  in  a  female. 

185.  Megaquiscalus  major  macrourus  (Swainsori). 

Great-tailed  grackles  are  to  be  found  in  every  village  from  the 
rubber  swamps  up  to  at  least  7,500  feet,  the  highest  town  visited. 
They  stick  so  closely  to  the  thickly-settled  districts  that  it  is  only 
occasionally  that  the  collector  is  able  to  obtain  specimens.  It  is 
claimed  by  those  who  are  familiar  with  this  bird  in  Guatemala  that 
the  males  are  polygamous.  At  El  Rancho  a  colony  nests  in  a  large 
tree  in  the  village  square,  under  which  the  Indians  daily  sit  with 
their  baskets  of  fruit  to  sell.  Iris  yellow. 

186.  Icterus  wagleri  Sclater. 

This  oriole  was  first  seen  at  Lake  Amatitlan,  where  a  pair  was 
secured  in  some  rushes  growing  at  the  margin  of  the  lake.  Two 
others  were  obtained  at  Lake  Atitlan  and  one  at  Tecpam.  The  last 
mentioned  was  immature,  having  only  the  chin  and  lores  and  a  few 
interscapulars  black.  Its  range  is  apparently  in  the  high  lands. 
Iris  dark  brown. 

187.  Icterus  prosthemelas  (Strickland). 

A  single  adult  specimen  was  obtained  at  Los  Amates.  Iris  dark 
brown. 

188.  Icterus  spurius  (Linnaeus') . 

Guatemala  is  evidently  a  favorite  region  with  orchard  orioles 
in  winter.  They  were  common  at  El  Rancho  the  first  week  in  Janu- 
ary, where  both  adult  and  immature  Lbirds  gwere  seen  gleaning  insects 
in  the  village  trees.  Specimens  were  taken  at  Los  Amates  (Jan.). 
Gualan  (Feb.),  Lake  Amatitlan  (Feb.),  San  Jose  (Mar.),  Mazate- 
nango  (Mar.),  Patulul  (Mar.  3ist)  —  ten  in  all.  Two  were  adult 


ii4  FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ORNITHOLOGY,  VOL.  I. 

males,  two  immature  males,  and  six  females.  Evidently  the  nature 
of  the  country  has  little  or  no  effect  on  the  winter  distribution  of  this 
oriole  for  the  tierra  caliente  and  the  dry  highlands,  at  least  up  to  4,000 
feet,  were  alike  inhabited  by  it.  The  only  sign  of  moult  in  the  entire 
series  is  on  the  head  of  an  adult  male  taken  March  3ist.  Iris  dark 
brown. 

189.  Icterus  pectoralis  (Wagler). 

This  species  was  found  only  at  Patulul,  where  one  adult  male  and 
three  immature  males  were  secured.     Iris  dark  brown. 


190.  Icterus  gularis  (Wagler). 

The  small  series  of  three  specimens  of  this  fine  oriole  presents  so 
much  individual  variation  that  it  is  regrettable  that  it  is  not  much 
larger.  All  are  fully  adult.  The  differences  may  be  tabulated  as 
follows : 


Locality 

Sex 

Head,  breast,  etc. 

Wing 

Tail 

Tarsus 

El   Rancho 
Mazatenango 

female 
male 

orange-chrome 
cadmium-orange 
cadmium-yellow 

123 
129 

112 

109 
109 
106 

32-5 
32.5 
29. 

All  are  in  unabraded  plumage.  The  Mazatenango  specimen  has  its 
bill  as  long  as  those  from  El  Rancho,  but  it  has  less  depth  at  the  base 
by  somewhat  more  than  a  millimeter.  The  female  is  by  far  the  richest 
colored  of  the  lot.  At  El  Rancho  this  species  was  feeding  on  the 
rose-red  fruits  of  the  tree  cactus  (Cereus}.  Iris  dark  brown. 

191.  Icterus  giraudii  Cassin. 

Two  specimens,  one  from  Lake  Atitlan  and  one  from  Tecpam. 
Others  were  seen  among  some  scattered  pines  on  the  way  between 
the  above  mentioned  points.  It  appears  to  belong  to  the  upland 
region. 

192.  Icterus  sclateri  Cassin. 

Five  examples  of  this  variable  species  were  taken  at  El  Rancho. 
An  adult  male  has  the  scapulars  and  interscapulars  solid  black;  and 
an  immature  male  has  only  narrow  orange  edgings  to  its  otherwise 
black  interscapulars.  The  females,  all  immature,  have  the  golden 
edgings  of  the  interscapulars  broader,  producing  a  striped  half-and- 
half  appearance.  This  series  of  skins,  when  compared  with  others 
in  similar  plumage  from*  Nicaragua  and  Oaxaca,  has  the  back  de- 
cidedly less  spotted  than  either;  the  coloration  of  the  Guatemala 


Nov.   1907.       BIRDS  FROM  GUATEMALA — DEARBORN.  115 

specimens  approaches  very  closely  to  that  of  gularis,  while  those 
from  southern  Mexico  and  Nicaragua,  so  far  as  it  has  been  possible 
to  ascertain,  are  near  the  color  pattern  of  pustulatus.  Inasmuch  as 
this  oriole  was  not  found  elsewhere  it  is  probably  chiefly  confined  to 
the  semi-arid,  cactus  region.  Iris  dark  brown;  maxilla  and  tip  of 
mandible  black;  base  of  mandible  and  feet  horn-blue. 

193.  Icterus  mesomelas  (Wagler}. 

Three  adults  were  secured  at  Los  Amates.  They  were  found  in 
the  vicinity  of  cultivated  land.  This  species  apparently  inhabits 
the  tierra  caliente  exclusively.  Iris  dark  brown. 

194.  Icterus  galbula  (Linnaeus). 

Baltimore  orioles  were  very  common  the  latter  half  of  March  at 
Mazatenango  and  Patulul.  None  had  been  encountered  prior  to 
that  time,  which  suggests  that  the  majority,  at  least,  winter  farther 
south,  and  that  the  latter  part  of  March  marks  the  height  of  their 
spring  migration  in  Guatemala.  One  adult  male,  one  immature 
male,  and  two  immature  females  were  secured  in  the  above  named 
localities.  The  young  male  had  just  begun  to  assume  the  adult 
nuptial  dress,  a  few  scattered  black  feathers  showing  on  crown,  nape 
and  back,  while  the  malar  and  sub-ocular  areas  were  quite  black 
(March  2ist).  At  Mazatenango  these  orioles  frequented  a  grove  of 
large  coffee  trees,  which  were  then  in  full  bloom. 


Family    Friiigillidse 

195.  Astragali nus  psaltria  croceus  (Jouy). 

One  adult  male  was  obtained  at  Mazatenangp,  where  it  was  found 
in  a  pasture  bearing,  in  addition  to  grass,  a  quantity  of  weeds  and 
scattered  bushes.  This  goldfinch  was  not  met  with  in  any  other  lo- 
cality. Iris  dark  brown. 

196.  Spiza  americana  (Gmeliri). 

A  small  flock,  containing  five  or  six  individuals,  was  found  in 
an  irrigated  field  where  the  grass  was  tall  and  green,  at  Lake  Atitlan, 
April  Qth.  One  was  secured.  This  specimen,  an  adult  male,  was 
in  perfect  plumage,  and  showed  no  indication  of  moulting  in  any 
part.  Iris  dark  brown. 


n6  FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ORNITHOLOGY,  VOL.  I. 

197.  Coturniculus  savannarum  bimaculatus  Swainson. 

Two  females  were  taken  at  Patulul  (March  24th,  26th).  They 
were  feeding  on  weed  seeds  at  the  edge  of  a  field  of  sugar  cane.  This 
species  was  not  seen  anywhere  else.  Iris  dark  brown. 

198.  Aimophila  ruficauda  lawrencei  (Salvin  and  Godmari). 

Five  specimens,  three  adult  and  two  apparently  immature,  were  I 
taken  at  El  Rancho.  The  adults  have  the  clear  black  lateral  crown  \ 
stripes  and  auriculars  and  the  larger  size  that  characterize  r.  lawrencei  1 
as  distinguished  from  r.  ruficauda.  The  two  younger  specimens 
have  traces  of  rufous  in  the  lateral  crown  stripes,  and  the  lower  \ 
posterior  sections  of  their  ear  coverts  are  grayish  brown,  which  give  j 
them  the  appearance  of  true  ruficauda, —  originally  described  from  1 
Nicaragua.  Apparently  Salvin  and  Godman,  in  writing  their  de-  1 
scription  of  ruficauda  and  setting  the  limits  of  its  distribution,*  had 
one  of  these  immature  birds  in  hand,  as  the  specimen  which  they  1 
described  came  from  the  same  drainage  basin,  that  of  the  Motagua  • 
River,  as  these  El  Rancho  birds.  Therefore,  unless  these  specimens  j 
were  migrants  from  Mexico,  which  is  not  probable,  the  Guatemalan  j 
birds  belong  to  lawrencei  and  not  to  ruficauda,  as  currently  supposed.  1 
This  species  inhabits  the  low  tangles  of  thorny  shrubs  and  the  brush  j 
fences  and  stone  walls  of  the  dry  hillsides,  remaining  much  upon  the  1 
ground,  and  taking  refuge  on  the  far  side  of  its  cover  when  inter-  | 
rupted.  Iris  of  adults  orange-red,  of  immature  birds  dark  brown;  i 
maxilla  dark  horn  color;  mandible  white;  feet  flesh  color. 

199.  Aimophila  rufescens  Swainson. 

This  large  sparrow  was  found  in  moist  situations  between  5,000  j 
and  6,500  feet.  Three  were  taken  at  Lake  Atitlan  and  one  in  a  valley  j 
below  Tecpam.  One  of  the  Atitlan  specimens  has  the  chest  and  sides  1 
of  the  neck  decidedly  grayer,  less  buff,  than  either  of  the  other  three.  ( 
This  same  bird  had  its  tail  about  three-fourths  grown,  all  the  rectrices  1 
showing  white  tips,  a  character  that  the  others  had  lost  by  abrasion.  I 
No  other  sign  of  moult  appears  on  any  of  them.  Iris  mummy-brown;  1 
maxilla  slate-black;  mandible  plumbeous. 

200.  Junco  alticola  Salvin. 

Seven  were  secured  near  the  summit  of  Sierra  Santa  Elena,  9,500  j 
feet,  where  they  were  found  in  a  field  cleared  from  the  cypress  forest,  j 
None  were  seen  at  a  lower  altitude.  Iris  orange. 

*  Biologic  Central!  Americana,  Aves,  Vol.  I,  p.  396. 

. 


Nov.   1907.       BIRDS  FROM  GUATEMALA— DEARBORN.  117 

201.  Brachyspiza  capensis  peruviana  (Lesson). 

This  sparrow  was  seen  within  the  limits  of  Guatemala  City.  Two 
were  taken  at  Lake  Atitlan,  which  has  about  the  same  altitude  as 
Guatemala  City,  nearly  5,000  feet,  and  two  were  taken  near  Tecpam 
(7,500  feet),  where  it  was  very  common.  Its  song  strongly  reminds 
one  of  the  eastern  meadow-lark,  though,  of  course,  the  volume  is 
somewhat  less.  It  is  a  bird  of  fields  and  highways,  rather  than  of 
shrubbery  or  timber.  Iris  dark  brown. 

202.  Melospiza  lincolnii  (Audubori). 

A  female  was  taken  at  Lake  Atitlan  April  8th.  Its  spring  moult 
had  barely  commenced  on  chin  and  forehead. 

203.  Hortulanus  maculatus  (Swainsori). 

The  spotted  Towhee  was  first  met  at  Lake  Atitlan,  where  two 
were  obtained.  Four  others  were  taken  between  the  Lake  and  Sierra 
Santa  Elena,  above  Tecpam.  A  female,  taken  at  9,500  feet,  April 
1 4th,  contained  an  egg  nearly  ready  to  be  laid.  One  of  the  Atitlan 
specimens,  a  female,  had  orange  rufous  irides,  while  in  one  of  the 
same  sex  from  Sierra  Santa  Elena  they  were  gray;  bill  black;  feet 
vinaceous  buff. 

204.  Melozone  biarcuatum  (Prevosi). 

This  species  was  first  seen  at  Fiscal,  on  the  way  from  El  Rancho 
to  Guatemala  City.  Thirteen  specimens,  representing  Lake  Ama- 
titlan,  Lake  Atitlan,  Patulul  and  Mazatenango,  were  secured.  It 
is  an  inhabitant  of  scrub  land,  where  stones,  weeds  and  bushes  pre- 
vail, feeding  on  the  ground  and  taking  refuge  in  the  trees  where 
disturbed.  Iris  brown. 

205.  Arremonops  chloronotus  (Salviri). 

A  pair  was  secured  at  Los  Amates.  None  were  seen  elsewhere. 
Iris  brown;  maxilla  black;  mandible  horn-blue;  feet  pale. 

206.  Arremon  aurantiirostris  Lafresnay. 

This  species  was  found  only  in  the  deep  forest  near  Los  Amates, 
where  it  stayed  chiefly  upon  the  ground,  in  the  shelter  of  fallen 
branches  or  decaying  logs.  In  the  obscurity  of  the  swamp  it  was 
difficult  to  see,  the  more  especially  as  only  one  was  found  in  a  place. 
One  specimen  was  taken.  Bill  orange-red. 


n8  FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  — ORNITHOLOGY,  VOL.  I. 

207.  Atlapetes  gutturalis  (Lafresnay) . 

Two  were  taken  near  Tecpam,  at  9,500  feet,  by  Mr.  Barber,  in 
January. 

208.  Buarremon  brunneinuchus  (Lafresnay}. 

Three  were  secured  above  Tecpam,  between  8,500  and  9,500  feet. 
They  were  found,  among  bushes  and  low  trees,  usually  on  the  ground. 
Iris  dark  brown. 

209.  Volatina  jacarina  splendens  (Vieillof). 

This  species  was  found  at  Los  Amates,  Gualan,  Mazatenango  and 
San  Jose.  Six  specimens  were  taken,  representing  each  of  the  above 
named  localities.  On  the  savannas  near  Los  Amates  they  were  , 
common.  They  are  essentially  birds  of  the  field,  rank  grass  and 
weeds  being  their  usual  habitat.  None  were  seen  above  1,800  feet. 
Iris  dark  brown. 

210.  Sporophila  morelleti  (Bonaparte). 

This  seedeater  inhabits  practically  the  same  situations  as  the  \ 
last,  though  it  was  found  as  high  as  5,000  feet.     Six  specimens  from 
Los  Amates,  four  from  Mazatenango,  three  from  Patulul,  and  one 
from  Lake  Atitlan,  make  up  the  series.     Those  taken  late  in  March 
were   beginning   to   moult   on   the   crown   and   throat.       Iris    dark  j 
brown. 

211.  Passerina  cyanea  (Linnazus). 

Indigo  birds  were  very  common,  at  least  up  to  4,000  feet,  all 
winter.  April  4th  is  the  date  on  which  the  last  specimen  was  taken. 
By  the  middle  of  March  adult  males  had  about  half  of  the  head  and 
breast  blue,  the  back  and  under  parts  being  still  in  fall  plumage. 
Males  taken  in  January  had  a  few  scattered  blue  feathers  both  above 
and  below.  Nine  specimens  were  obtained,  representing  Los  Amates, 
El  Rancho,  Patulul,  Mazatenango  and  Lake  Amatitlan.  At  Finca  j 
Chapulco,  near  Los  Amates,  these  birds  were  daily  feeding  on  the  :j 
ground  in  the  door  yard.  Often  they  were  found  in  company  with 
Sporophila  among  the  weeds  that  nourish  along  the  railroad.  Iris 
dark  brown. 

212.  Passerina  ciris  (Linnaeus). 

The  winter  distribution  of  this  species,  so  far  as  the  results  of  : 
this  expedition  indicate,  is  the  same  as  that  of  cyanea.     Nine  speci- 


1907.      BIRDS  FROM  GUATEMALA — DEARBORN.  119 

mens  make  up  the  series.  April  4th  is  the  latest  date  of  capture. 
Adult  males  wore  their  regalia  of  red,  blue  and  green  all  winter.  An 
immature  male,  taken  March  3ist,  had  just  begun  to  come  into  adult 
plumage,  a  few  blue  feathers  showing  among  the  auriculars.  This 
bunting  was  seen  at  Gualan,  and  specimens  were  taken  at  Los  Amates, 
El  Rancho,  Mazatenango,  Patulul  and  Lake  Amatitlan.  Iris  dark 
brown. 

213.  Passerina  versicolor  (Bonaparte). 

An  adult  male  was  taken  at  El  Rancho  January  sth.  None  were 
observed  elsewhere.  Iris  dark  brown. 

214.  Cyanocompsa  parellina  (Bonaparte). 

Two  were  obtained  at  Los  Amates  and  two  at  Patulul.  The 
species  was  not  common.  This  series  comprises  two  adults  of 
each  sex.  Their  bills  are  heavier  than  any  of  the  half  dozen  speci- 
mens from  eastern  Mexico  with  which  they  have  been  compared. 
The  females  are  considerably  darker  than  those  from  Tamaulipas, 
the  back  being  between  Vandyke  brown  and  burnt  umber.  The 
males  have  foreheads  pale  blue,  and  occiput  and  nape  azure  blue; 
they  also  have  a  wash  of  azure  on  the  lower  breast, —  in  each  of  these 
particulars  they  differ  from  Mexican  specimens.  These  specimens 
are  nearer  subspecies  parellina  than  any  other  that  has  been  de- 
scribed, both  in  size  and  color.  The  species  has  not  heretofore  been 
recorded  south  of  Mexico,  but  it  extends  at  least  as  far  as  Nicaragua, 
and  when  sufficient  specimens  from  the  southernmost  portion  of  its 
range  are  obtained,  it  is  probable  they  will  be  found  worthy  of  descrip- 
tion and  a  name.  When  this  has  been  done,  these  Guatemalan  birds 
will  probably  appear  as  intermediates.  Iris  dark  brown. 

215.  Guiraca  czerulea  lazula  (Lesson). 

The  western  blue  grosbeak  was  found  to  be  generally  distributed, 
yet  nowhere  very  abundant.  Six  specimens  were  taken, —  two  from 
El  Rancho  and  one  each  from  Los  Amates,  Patulul,  Lake  Amatitlan 
and  Lake  Atitlan.  An  adult  male,  taken  in  January,  has  brown  tips 
to  the  body  feathers,  which  only  need  to  be  abraded  to  put  him  into 
summer  dress.  A  young  male,  taken  February  26th,  has  a  few  blue 
feathers  around  each  eye  and  one  or  two  on  its  chest,  which  mark 
the  beginning  of  the  spring  moult.  Another,  taken  just  a  month 
later,  has  the  crown,  chest  and  sides  of  the  neck  mainly  blue.  Iris 
dark  brown. 


120  FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY — ORNITHOLOGY,  VOL.  I. 

216.  Zamelodia  ludoviciana  (Linnceus). 

A  male  was  seen  at  Los  Amates  in  January;  a  female  was  taken 
at  Lake  Atitlan  February  24th;  another  at  San  Jose  March  ;th;  two 
males  and  a  female  at  Mazatenango  March  iyth,  and  a  female  at  Pa- 
tulul  April  2d.  During  the  latter  half  of  March  rose-breasted 
grosbeaks  were  common  about  Mazatenango,  where  they  were  in 
small  flocks  and  apparently  migrating.  Although  a  winter  resident 
of  Guatemala,  it  seems  probable  that  the  majority  go  farther  south  to 
spend  the  winter.  An  adult  male  taken  March  lyth,  had  not  even  a 
trace  of  approaching  summer  dress.  An  immature  male,  taken  March 
2oth,  had  a  few  pinfeathers  on  its  chin.  A  female,  taken  April  2d, 
has  its  under  wing  coverts,  and  a  suffusion  on  its  throat,  geranium- 
pink.  The  ovaries  were  normally  developed,  and  there  was  no  uncer- 
tainty about  the  sex.  The  upper  parts  of  this  specimen  are  in  no  way 
variant  from  the  ordinary  type  of  the  sex.  Iris  dark  brown. 

217.  Pheuticus  aurantiacus  (Salvin  &  Godtnan}. 

The  only  example  of  this  species  that  came  to  notice  was  a  female 
collected  on  a  mountain  north  of  El  Rancho,  just  below  the  limit  of  '] 
pine  growth.     Iris  dark  brown. 

218.  Saltator  atriceps  Lesson. 

Eight  specimens,  representing  Gaulan,  Mazatenango.  Patulul  and 
Lake  Amatitlan,  were  obtained.     This  species  frequents  the  borders 
of  woodland,  where  it  can  combine  the  advantages  of  the  field  for  food  i 
and  the  woods  for  shelter.     It  evidently  prefers  dry  ground  at  an  alti- 
tude less  than  5,000  feet.     Iris  brown. 

219.  Saltator  magnoides  medianus  Ridgway. 

Three  specimens  were  secured  at  Los  Amates,  the  only  place  where 
this  species  was  found.     It  was  noisy,  like  others  of  this  genus,  calling 
vociferously  when  in  the  trees,  but  nothing  that  could  be  called  a  song  j 
was  heard.      A  flock  came    to  the  cleared   strip  bordering '  the  rail-  ] 
road  to  feed,  and  took  to  the  bambus  whenever  disturbed.     Iris  dark  1 
brown. 

220.  Saltator  grandis  (Lichtensteiri) . 

This  species  was  seen  only  on  the  Pacific  side  of  the  divide.     San  j 
Jose",  Lake  Amatitlan  and  Patulul  together  furnished  seven  specimens,  jj 

Iris  dark  brown. 

. 


Nov.   1907.       BIRDS  FROM  GUATEMALA  —  DEARBORN. 


Family    Taiiagriclae. 

221.  Euphonia  affinis  (Lesson). 

Specimens,  five  in  all,  were  taken  at  Gualan,  Patulul,  Maza- 
tenango  and  San  Jose.  They  were  found  in  scattering  trees,  on  culti- 
vated land,  feeding  on  small  fruits.  Iris  dark  brown. 

222.  Euphonia  hirundinacea  Bonaparte. 

This  species  was  seen  only  at  Mazatenango,  where  three  were  col- 
lected. Iris  dark  brown. 

223.  Euphonia  gouldi  Sclater. 

A  single  specimen  was  taken  at  Los  Amates,  the  only  locality  in 
which  this  species  was  noticed.  Iris  dark  brown. 

224.  Tanagra  cana  Swainson. 

Blue  tanagers  were  seen  at  Los  Amates,  Mazatenango  and  San 
Jose.  Four  specimens  were  collected.  Berries  form  a  large  part  of 
their  fare.  Iris  dark  brown. 

225.  Tanagra  abbas  Lichtenstein. 

This  tanager  was  common  locally  up  to  5,000  feet.  In  the  series  of 
fourteen  skins,  Los  Amates,  Patulul,  Mazatenango  and  Lake  Atitlan 
are  represented.  Iris  dark  brown. 

226.  Piranga  rubra   (Linn&us). 

One  specimen  was  taken  at  Los  Amates,  but  not  preserved;  four 
were  taken  at  Gualan,  two  at  Patulul  and  one  at  Lake  Atitlan.  The 
spring  moult  on  an  immature  male,  taken  March  3ist,  had  progressed 
over  the  sinciput,  throat  and  auriculars.  Scattering  red  feathers  had 
also  appeared  on  the  breast,  interscapulum  and  rump.  Iris  dark 
brown. 

227.  Piranga  ludoviciana  (Wilscn). 

Fifteen  specimens,  all  from  the  west  side  of  the  country,  were 
taken  between  February  25th  and  April  2d.  Patulul,  Mazatenango 
and  Lake  Atitlan  are  the  localities  from  which  they  came.  During 
the  latter  part  of  March  these  tanagers  were  so  abundant  that  it  is 
probable  they  were  in  migration  from  some  point  to  the  southward, 
though  this  species  does  not  appear  to  have  been  recorded  from  south 
of  Gautemala.  The  spring  moult  evidently  begins  early  in  March, 


122  FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ORNITHOLOGY,  VOL.  1. 

the  yellow  median  wing  coverts  and  the  frontal,  loral  and  gular 
feathers  being  replaced  first.  Three  immature  males,  taken  between 
the  isth  and  3ist  of  March,  have  new  tertials.  Iris  dark  brown. 

228.  Piranga  leucoptera  Trudeau. 

Seven  specimens  were  obtained  from  Patulul  and  Mazatenango, 
the  only  places  where  this  species  was  seen.  Iris  dark  brown. 

229.  Rhamphocelus  passerinii  Bonaparte. 

Eight  specimens  were  taken  at  Los  Amates.  None  were  seen 
away  from  the  swamps,  where,  however,  they  are  quite  plentiful.  An 
immature  male  in  the  series  is  indistinguishable,  as  to  color,  from 
the  females,  but  in  size  it  is  fully  equal  to  adult  males.  This  tanager 
is  usually  seen  around  the  margins  of  clearings.  Iris  of  adult  male 
red,  of  immature  male  maroon,  of  female  brown;  bill  plumbeous  blue. 

230.  Lanio  aurantius  Lafresnay. 

A  single  specimen  was  collected  at  Los  Amates.  No  others  were 
observed.  Iris  dark  brown. 

231.  Eucometis  spodocephala  Bonaparte. 

Los  Amates,  one  specimen,  which,  on  comparison  with  specimens 
of  spodocephala  from  Nicaragua  and  pallida  from  Yucatan,  is  seen  to 
belong  to  the  former  subspecies.  Its  upper  parts  are  fully  as  dark  as 
those  from  Nicaragua  though  it  is  slightly  paler  below.  Prof.  Ridg- 
way*  mentions  a  Guatemalan  specimen  that  agrees  with  pallida,  and 
a  Belize  specimen  that  is  intermediate  between  the  two.  Iris  brown. 

232.  Phoenicothraupis  rubica  rubricoides  (Lafresnay). 

Near  Patulul  this  tanager  was  rather  common  in  heavy  timber  on 
the  hillsides.  Nine  specimens  were  taken.  An  adult  male  in  the  lot, 
collected  April  3d,  has  three  new  olive-green  rectrices  and  nine  old 
red  ones  —  an  interesting  reversal  of  the  usual  order  of  moult  —  and 
furthermore,  they  are  unsymmetrically  located,  one  green  feather 
being  an  outer  retrix  on  the  right  side,  while  the  other  two  are  next 
the  middle  on  the  left  side.  Iris  dark  brown. 

233.  Phoenicothraupis  salvini  Berlepsch. 

A  single  specimen  was  collected  near  Mazatenango,  in  a  low  moist 
locality  covered  with  primeval  forest.  Iris  dark  brown. 

*Bull.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.  No.  50,  part  II,  p.   141. 


Nov.  1907.       BIRDS  FROM  GUATEMALA — DEARBORN.  123 

234.   Phoenicothraupis  salvini  littoralis  (Nelson). 

A  pair  of  this  subspecies,  taken  at  Los  Amates,  agree  very  closely 
with  specimens  from  Teapa  and  Tampico,  the  colors  of  the  head  and 
throat  being  of  the  same  shade,  and  those  of  the  body,  wings  and  tail 
being  but  slightly  darker  than  on  the  corresponding  parts  of  the  Mexi- 
can specimens.  Iris  brown. 


Family  Hirundinidje. 

235.  Progne  chalybea  (Gmeliri). 

Two  specimens  were  taken  at  El  Rancho  where  this  species  was 
very  common.  Several  came  regularly  to  pass  the  night  on  the  plates 
of  the  high  veranda  of  the  hotel.  Iris  dark  brown. 

236.  Stelgidopteryx  serripennis  (Audubon). 

Specimens,  five  altogether,  were  collected  at  Mazatenango,  Patu- 
lul  and  Lake  Atitlan  —  the  time  limits  being  March  iyth  to  April  8th. 
All  of  these  skins  agree  in  color  with  others  from  the  States,  but  the 
one  from  Lake  Atitlan,  a  male,  has  the  unusual  wing  length  of  1 18  mm. 
Of  the  other  four,  two  females  and  a  male  have  a  wing  length  of  104 
mm.  and  the  other  one,  a  female,  is  only  98  mm.  Iris  dark  brown. 

237.  Notiochelidon  pileata  (Gould). 

Coban  swallows  were  plentiful  about  Tecpam,  where  one  was 
taken  by  Mr.  Barber  in  January.  April  isth  they  were  drilling  holes 
in  the  banks  by  the  roadside  on  the  mountain  west  of  the  town.  They 
also  appeared  to  be  nesting  in  the  walls  of  the  cathedral  where  bricks 
had  been  left  out  for  staging  supports. 

238.  Iridoprocne  bicolor  (Vieillot). 

One  immature  specimen,  sex  unknown  but  apparently  a  female, 
was  taken  at  Lake  Atitlan  March  3d,  by  Mr.  Barber. 


Family   Ptilogiiathidse. 

239.  Ptilogonys  cinereus  molybdophanes  Ridgway. 

This  species  was  first  seen  on  the  road  from  Lake  Atitlan  to  Tec- 
pam at  about  6,500  feet.     Above  Tecpam  at  9,000  to  9,500  feet  it  was 


124  FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ORNITHOLOGY,  VOL.  I. 

found  in  flocks  feeding  on  berries.  Six  males  and  two  females  were 
collected.  The  females  exhibit  a  decided  difference  in  color.  One 
has  back  and  breast  broccoli  brown  in  decided  contrast  with  an  olive- 
gray  head;  the  other  has  back  smoke-gray,  breast  drab-gray,  and 
head  olive-gray,  with  only  a  slight  contrast  between  the  interscapu- 
lum  and  crown.  Iris  dark  brown. 


Family  Vireouiclff*. 

240.  Vireosylva  flavoviridis  Cassin. 

One  specimen  was  taken  at  Mazatenango,  where  this  vireo  was 
frequently  heard  singing  in  the  tops  of  the  enormous  trees  that 
form  the  forest  in  the  low  land  south  of  the  town.  Its  song  is  so  simi- 
lar to  that  of  V.  olivaceus  that,  until  one  of  the  birds  was  collected,  it 
was  supposed  to  belong  to  that  species.  Iris  red-brown. 

241.  Vireosylva  gilvus  swainsonii  (Baird). 

One  was  taken  and  another  seen  at  El  Rancho  January  6th.  No 
more  were  seen  until  March  24th,  when  they  were  found  at  Patulul 
in  abundance,  and  so  continued,  at  least •,  until  April  26..  Seven  were 
collected  at  Patulul.  At  this  time,  they  were  passing  through  the 
trees  in  loose  flocks  and  were  evidently  migrating.  The  March  and 
April  specimens  were  undergoing  a  scattered  moult,  not  a  general 
renewal,  on  head  and  breast.  Iris  dark  brown. 

242.  Lanivireo  flavifrons  (Vieilloi). 

Yellow-throated  vireos  were  found  at  Gaulan  and  near  El  Rancho. 
Two  specimens  were  collected  at  the  former  place  early  in  February,  j 
Iris  dark  brown. 

243.  Lanivireo  solitarius  (Wilson). 

One  was  taken  at  Lake  Atitlan  April  loth,  and  another  was  taken  ] 
two  days  later,  on  the  road  to  Tecpam,  at  6,500  feet.     Both  were 
near  the  completion  of  the  spring  moult,  covering  the  head,  inter-  I 
scapulum  and  breast, —  partially  at  least.     Iris  dark  brown. 

244.  Vireo  ochraceus  Salvin. 

This  species  was  found  only  in  the  mangroves.     One  specimen 
was  collected  at  Puerto  Barrios  and  five  at  San  Jose.     At  the  latter  j 
place  they  were  abundant.     All  of  the  San  Jose  series  were  olive- 1 


Nov.   1907.       BIRDS  FROM  GUATEMALA  —  DEARBORN.  125 

green  above  and  wax-yellow  beneath,  and  all  had  straw-colored 
irides.  The  Puerto  Barrios  bird  was  olive-gray  above,  and  only 
locally  and  slightly  tinged  with  yellow  beneath,  and  had  dark-brown 
irides.  The  dark  iris  was  an  index  of  immaturity,  and  it  seems  proba- 
ble that  the  color  variation  so  conspicuous  in  any  large  series  of  this 
species  is  due  to  difference  in  age,  the  pale  specimens  being  younger 
than  those  of  brighter  color. 

245.  Vireo  belli!  Audubon. 

Bell's  vireos  do  not  appear  to  have  been  heretofore  recorded  from 
south  of  Tehuantepec,  but  apparently  they  reach  southern  Guatemala 
in  considerable  numbers.  Two  were  taken  at  Gualan  February  i5th, 
two  at  San  Jose,  March  8th,  and  one  at  Patulul  March  25th.  No 
evidence  of  a  recent  moult  is  discernible  on  any  of  the  lot.  Iris  dark 
brown. 

246.  Vireolanius  melitophrys  Du  Bus. 

One  specimen,  the  only  one  seen,  was  taken  at  Lake  Atitlan. 
Iris  Nile-blue. 

247.  Vireolanius  pulchellus  Sclater  &  Salvin. 

This  species  was  .found  only  in  the  wooded  valleys  near  Patulul, 
but  even  there  it  was  scarce.  Two  specimens  were  collected.  Iris 
dark  brown. 

248.  Cyclarhis  flaviventris  Lafresnay. 

Nine  were  collected,  in  all;  one  at  Mazatenango,  five  at  Patulul 
and  three  at  Lake  Atitlan.  The  song  of  this  bird  is  rather  loud,  smooth 
and  pleasant  to  hear.  Iris  orange,  and  elliptical  in  shape,  with  the 
longer  axis  horizontal. 


Family  Coerebldse, 

249.   Diglossa  montana  sp.  nov. 

Type  No.  23,4^4,  cT  ad.,  Field  Museum  of  Natural  History;  col- 
lected on  Sierra  Santa  Elena,  at  altitude  9,500  feet,  near  Tecpam,  by 
C.  M.  Barber,  January  i3th,  1906. 

Specific  characters:  Similar  to  D.  baritula,  but  differs  from  that 
species  in  having  the  throat  slate-gray  like  the  back  —  not  russet 
like  the  breast ; —  and  in  having  the  under  parts  darker, —  near  mars 
brown. 


126  FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ORNITHOLOGY,  VOL.  I. 

Description  of  type:  Pileum,  lores  and  auriculars  slate-black;  throat, 
sides  of  neck,  back,  lesser  wing  coverts  and  upper  tail  coverts  slate 
color,  passing  into  plumbeous  on  the  rump;  wings  and  tail  black, 
edged  with  slate;  breast,  abdomen  and  under  tail  coverts  mars  brown. 
Wing  58  mm.;  tail  45  mm.;  exposed  culmen  10  mm.;  tarsus  18  mm. 

Female:  Upper  parts  olive;  throat  broccoli  brown;  breast,  ab- 
domen, and  under  tail  coverts  vinaceus-cinnamon.  Wings  and  tail 
dusky,  edged  with  olive ;  secondaries  and  greater  wing  coverts  edged 
with  buff.  Wing  56  mm.;  tail  43  mm.;  exposed  culmen  10  mm.'; 
tarsus  1 8  mm. 

Two  specimens  were  taken  in  the  type  locality  by  Mr.  Barber. 
It  is  probable  that  montana  intergrades  with  baritula,  but  in  the 
small  series  at  hand  —  two  of  the  former  and  seven  of  the  latter  — 
there  is  no  indication  of  it.  This  form  has  hitherto  been  included 
under  the  name  baritula  which  was  originally  applied  by  Wagler  to  a 
specimen  from  Mexico.  Salvin  and  Godman*  mention  the  difference 
in  color  of  throat  on  Mexican  and  Guatemalan  specimens;  and  Ridg- 
way**  calls  attention  to  this  and  other  differences  between  the  single 
Guatemalan  skin  in  the  United  States  National  Museum,  and  a  series 
from  Mexico.  Apparently  Sclater  based  his  description  of  baritula 
in  the  Catalogue  of  Birds  in  the  British  Museum***  upon  a  Guatema- 
lan specimen,  for  he  says  "throat  plumbeous  like  the  back." 

His  final  statement  that  "Guatemalan  specimens  have  less  (Italics 
mine)  plumbeous  on  the  throat,  thereby  approaching  D.  sittoides" 
indicates  very  plainly  that  he  had  the  two  forms  confused,  for  it  is 
the  Mexican  and  not  the  Guatemalan  form  that  has  less  plumbeous. 

250.  Cyanerpes  cyaneus  (Linnceus). 

Two  from  Patulul  and  seven  from  Mazatenango  were  collected 
between  the  i5th  and  the  3ist  of  March.  This  series  indicates  that 
the  body  plumage  of  immature  males  changes  from  the  green  of  the 
first  autumn  to  the  adult  blue  and  black  by  a  rapid  and  thorough 
moult  in  March ;  and  that  the  wing  and  tail  feathers  are  renewed  just 
enough  in  advance  of  the  contour  feathers  to  be  practically  grown 
when  the  latter  begin  to  shed  about  the  head  and  interscapulum. 
Adults  apparently  moult  more  gradually  and  less  completely  at  this 
time.  These  honey  creepers  were  as  often  seen  foraging  among  the  ] 
branches  of  roadside  trees  as  in  the  woods.  They  were  usually  in 
flocks.  Iris  dark  brown ;  feet  vermilion. 

*  Biologia  Centrali  Americana,  Aves.  I,  p.  242. 

**  Bulletin  U.  S.  National  Museum,  No.  50,  part  II,  p.  381,  footnote. 
***  Cat.  Birds  Brit.  Mus.  Vol.  XI,  p.  4. 


Nov.  1907.       BIRDS  FROM  GUATEMALA  —  DEARBORN.  127 


Family  Miiiotilticlae. 

251.  Mniotilta  varia  (Linn&us}. 

One  was  taken  March  igth  at  Mazatenango  and  another,  an  adult 
male,  at  Patulul  March  3ist.  A  few  were  seen  at  Gualan  February 
1 5th.  Black-and-white  warblers  winter  here  only  in  small  numbers. 
Iris  dark  brown. 

252.  Helmintheros  vermivorus  (Gmeliri). 

A  female  was  taken  at  Patulul  April  2d.     No  others  were  seen. 

253.  Helminthophila  pinus  (Linnaeus}. 

One  specimen  was  taken  at  Gaulan  February  isth.  Iris  dark 
brown. 

254.  Helminthophila  peregrina  (Wilson). 

Tennessee  warblers  were  abundant  at  Mazatenango,  and  six  were 
collected  there  between  the  ipth  and  2ist  of  March.  Between 
March  25th  and  April  2d  three  others  were  taken  at  Patulul.  As 
none  were  seen  elsewhere,  it  seems  probable  that  these  specimens  were 
out  of  a  migration  wave  sweeping  up  from  a  lower  latitude.  In  the 
series  of  eight,  only  one  was  a  male,  taken  April  2d.  All  show  a 
condition  of  scattering  moult  on  pileum,  throat  and  interscapulum. 
Iris  dark  brown. 

255.  Helminthophila  celata  lutescens   (Ridgway}. 

One  specimen  was  taken  at  9,500  feet,  near  Tecpam,  December 
1 6th,  by  Mr.  Barber. 

256.  Oreothlypis  superciliosa  (Hartlaub). 

This  species  was  rather  common  in  the  cypress-covered  "heights 
above  Tecpam,  where  three  specimens  were  taken.  It  was  usually 
found  in  bushes  and  small  trees  at  the  edge  of  the  forest  or  in  partial 
clearings. 

257.  Compsothlypis  americana  ramalinae  Ridgway. 

One  was  collected  at  Gualan,  February  7th;  and  another  at  San 
Jose  March  7th.  The  latter  was  just  beginning  the  spring  moult  on 
forehead  and  auriculars. 


128  FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY — ORNITHOLOGY,  VOL.  I. 

258.  Dendroica  aestiva  (Gmelin). 

The  yellow  warbler  is  a  common  winter  resident.     Ten  specimens    | 
were   collected,   the   following   localities   contributing:     Los   Amates 
(Jan.),  Lake  Amatitlan  (Feb.),  Patulul,  Mazatenango  and  San  Jose 
(March).     Those  taken  about  March   ist,  were  just  beginning  the 
spring  moult,   and  those  taken  during  the  last  week  of  the  same  I 
month  had  new  feathers  on  head,  neck,  interscapulum,  breast  and    ! 
flanks;    while  the  lower  back,  rump  and  abdomen  showed  no  indica-   : 
tion  of  renewal. 

\ 

259.  Dendroica  aestiva  sonorana  Brewster. 

A  female  was  taken  at  El  Rancho  in  January,  and  a  male  at  San  J 
Jose  March  gth. 

* 

260.  Dendroica  bryanti  castaneiceps  Ridgway. 

Several  were  seen  among  the  mangroves  along  the  beach  at  San 
Jose,  but  only  one  was  secured.     This  one,  an  immature  male,  was  | 
just  beginning  to  show  a  few  chestnut  feathers  on  its  head,  March  yth.   | 
Iris  dark  brown. 

261.  Dendroica  maculosa  (Gmelin). 

An  abundant  winter  resident  from  the  swamps  along  the  coast  up,  J 
at  least,  to  4,000  feet.  Specimens,  seven  in  all,  were  collected  at  Los  | 
Amates,  Lake  Amatitlan,  Patulul  and  Mazatenango.  The  only  | 
specimen  in  moult  is  a  male,  taken  April  2d,  which  has  a  few  new  f 
feathers  on  its  throat  and  breast.  Iris  dark  brown. 

262.  Dendroica  coronata  (Linnaeus}. 

Myrtle  warblers  were  first  noticed  at  sea,  December  3ist,  when  two 
came  aboard  the  ship  about  20  miles  south  of  Chinchorrow  Key.  At 
Belize,  January  ist,  they  were  common  in  the  botanical  garden. 
Many  were  seen  at  Puerto  Barrios  and  Los  Amates  in  January. 
Again,  April  i2th,  a  few  were  seen  and  one,  a  female  in  dilapidated 
plumage,  collected  near  Tecpam,  at  7,500  feet.  In  the  low  country, 
they  fed  mostly  upon  the  ground  along  the  railroad  and  in  door  yards. 

263.  Dendroica  townsendi  (Townsend). 

This  warbler  winters  in  the  pine  belt.     Four  were  taken  near 
Tecpam,  one  in  January  at  7,600  feet,  and  three  April  i2th,  at  6,500  '- 
feet.     None  were  seen  elsewhere. 


Nov.   1907.        BIRDS  FROM  GUATEMALA  —  DEARBORN.  129 

264.  Dendroica  virens  (Gmelin). 

One  was  taken  near  El  Rancho  (Jan.  6th),  one  at  Lake  Amatitlan 
(Feb.  27th),  and  two  at  Lake  Atitlan  (April  loth).  Few  were  seen, 
none  below  2,000  feet.  One  of  the  April  specimens  had  just  begun  to 
moult  about  the  base  of  the  bill  and  the  auriculars. 

265.  Oporornis  formosa  (Wilson). 

Two  were  secured  at  Los  Amates  (Jan.  22d  and  Feb.  gtti)  and 
one  at  Mazatenango  (Mar. 


266.  Oporornis  tolmiei  (Townsend). 

One  was  taken  at  Lake  Amatitlan  (Feb.  26th),  two  at  Patulul 
(Mar.  26th)  and  two  at  Lake  Atitlan  (Apr.  loth),  It  is  probable, 
judging  from  these  dates  of  occurrence,  that  at  least  the  Lake  Ama- 
titlan specimen  was  passing  the  winter  at  Guatemala.  The  others 
may  have  been  passing  migrants.  One  of  the  April  specimens  had 
pinfeathers  on  gular,  frontal  and  auricular  areas. 

267.  Seiurus  aurocapillus  (Linnaeus}. 

One  was  collected  at  Mazatenango  March  2ist. 

268.  Seiurus  noveboracensis  notabilis  Ridgway. 

One,  taken  at  Los  Amates  (Jan.  i6th)  and  another  at  Lake 
Amatitlan  (Feb.  27th)  belong  to  the  intermediates  between  5.  n. 
noveboracensis  and  5.  n.  notabilis,  such  as  occur  spring  and  fall  in 
Chicago,  and  which  are  referred  to  the  latter  form  on  account  of  their 
color,  notwithstanding  they  are  somewhat  smaller  than  typical 
notabilis.  This  species  (subspecies  uncertain)  was  also  seen  at 
Puerto  Barrios  moving  about  among  a  pile  of  mahogany  logs  on  the 
shore.  At  Los  Amates,  they  were  frequently  seen  near  the  river. 
Both  of  the  specimens  collected  were  undergoing  a  gradual  moult 
on  the  head.  Iris  dark  brown. 

269.  Geothlypis  trichas  brachydactyla  Swainson. 

Eleven  specimens  were  collected,  time  and  place  as  follows: 
Los  Amates  (Jan.),  Lake  Amatitlan  (Feb.),  Mazatenango  and  San 
Jose  (March),  Lake  Atitlan  (Apr.  7th).  An  immature  male,  taken 
January  i6th,  was  in  autumnal  plumage.  Another,  taken  February 
ist,  had  begun  to  assume  the  black  mask.  An  adult  male,  taken 
April  7th,  was  moulting  on  chin  and  crown.  This  yellow-throat  is 
a  common  winter  resident  in  moist,  reedy  places,  up  to  5,000  feet  and 
perhaps  higher. 


130  FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ORNITHOLOGY,  VOL.  I. 

270.  Chamsethlypis  caninucha  Ridgway. 

Two  were  collected  at  Mazatenango  and  two  at  Patulul.  At  first 
sight  one  is  reminded  of  a  yellow-throat  (G.  trichas]  but  this  species 
lives  mainly  on  the  ground  in  highways  and  pastures  where  vegetation 
is  low,  rather  than  in  bushes,  or  rank  grass,  as  do  yellow-throats. 
None  were  observed  on  the  Atlantic  side  of  the  watershed,  or  either 
very  high  or  very  low  on  the  Pacific  side,  the  more  elevated  parts  of 
the  tierra  caliente  being,  apparently,  their  ordinary  habitat.  The 
pair,  male  and  female,  taken  at  Mazatenango  (Mar.  igth,  2ist)  had 
not  begun  to  moult;  but  the  pair  from  Patulul  (Mar.  24th,  25th)  both 
have  pinfeathers  on  the  interramal  space.  Iris  dark  brown. 

271.  Icteria  virens  (Linn&us). 

The  chat  was  found  very  generally  distributed.  Two  were  col- 
lected at  Los  Amates  (Jan.),  one  at  Lake  Amatitlan  (Feb.),  two  at 
San  Jose*  (March),  one  at  Mazatenango  (March),  two  at  Patulul 
(Mar.,  Apr.)  and  one  at  Lake  Atitlan,  (Apr.  yth).  In  this  series  of 
nine  birds  only  one  was  in  moult.  This  one,  an  adult  male  taken 
March  ipth,  had  the  forehead  and  a  patch  on  the  throat  in  pin- 
feathers.  Iris  dark  brown. 

272.  Wilsonia  mitrata  (Gmeliri). 

One  was  collected  at  Los  Amates  January  26th,  and  two  at  Patulul, 
one  March  26th,  and  the  other  April  5th.  While  undoubtedly  a 
winter  resident,  it  is  not  a  common  one,  as  no  others  were  observed. 
The  Patulul  specimens  were  probably  passing  migrants.  Iris  dark 
brown. 

273.  Wilsonia  pusilla  (Wilson}. 

A  fully  adult  male  was  taken  at  Los  Amates  January  i6th;  and 
a  young  male  and  a  female  were  taken  above  Tecpam  (9,000  ft.) 
April  1 3th.  The  female,  the  only  one  showing  any  moult  whatever, 
had  numerous  scattering  pinfeathers  on  her  throat.  Iris  dark  brown; 
maxilla  horn-blue;  mandible  pale;  feet  dull  yellow. 

274.  Setophaga  ruticilla  (Linnaeus). 

An  adult  male  was  seen  at  Belize  January  ist,  and  a  female  was 
taken  at  Gualan  February  isth.  Iris  dark  brown. 

275.  Setophaga  picta  guatemala?  Sharpe. 

The  only  one  seen  was  collected  at  6,500  feet,  near  Tecpam. 


Nov.   1907.       BIRDS  FROM  GUATEMALA  —  DEARBORN.  131 

276.  Myioborus  mimatus  flammeus  (Kaup). 

One  was  taken  from  a  flock  of  warblers,  mainly  Oreothlypis  super- 
ciliosa,  at  8,000  feet  near  Tecpam.  Iris  hazel. 

277.  Basileuterus  rufifrons  dugesi  Ridgway. 

Three  specimens,  a  male  and  two  females,  were  taken  April  loth 
at  Lake  Atitlan.  They  have  been  compared  with  six  specimens  of 
B.  r.  rufifrons  from  eastern  Mexico,  and  with  the  same  number  of 
May  specimens  of  B.  r.  dugesi  from  Jalisco,  and  they  evidently  belong 
to  the  latter  subspecies.  If  this  form  were  a  permanent  resident 
it  would  undoubtedly  have  been  reported  from  Guatemala  before 
this;  hence  it  is  reasonable  to  conclude  that  these  birds  were  migrants. 
Such  a  migration  as  this  must  be  due  to  an  instinctive  impulse,  rather 
than  to  necessity,  as  the  bird's  summer  range  is  not  uninhabitable 
in  winter.  These  specimens  were  found  in  the  low  shrubbery  that 
covers  the  precipitous  shore  of  the  lake  near  Panajachel. 

278.  Basileuterus  rufifrons  delattrii  Bonaparte. 

Seven  specimens,  five  males  and  two  females,  were  taken  at  Patu- 
lul  between  March  26th  and  April  5th.  All  of  these  have  the  nape 
olive-green,  slightly  darker  than  the  back.  Two  other  specimens, 
one  of  each  sex,  taken  at  Lake  Amatitlan  February  27th,  have  gray 
napes,  otherwise  they  are  like  those  from  Patulul.  According  to 
Ridgway*  the  gray  nape  is  a  characteristic  of  delattrii;  but  according 
to  Salvin  and  Godman**,  the  nape  of  this  form  should  be  "olive  like 
the  back." 

If  this  series  includes  only  one  form,  and  that  delattrii,  which 
appears  to  be  the  case,  both  authorities  have  hit  the  truth.  Prof. 
Ridgway  kindly  allowed  the  type  of  B.  r.  salvini  Cherrie,  to  be  sent  on 
from  Washington  for  examination  in  this  connection.  But  none  of 
this  series  has  a  trace  of  white  on  the  ear-coverts,  while  salvini  belongs 
to  the  group  having  the  lower  portion  of  the  auriculars  whitish. 
There  is  no  sign  of  moult  on  any  of  these  specimens  and  there  is 
nothing  about  them  to  indicate  any  difference  in  age  between  those 
'with  gray  napes  and  those  with  olive  napes.  Iris  dark  brown. 

279.  Basileuterus  culicivorus  (Lichtenstein) . 

Two  were  collected  at  Patulul.     Iris  dark  brown. 

280.  Ergaticus  versicolor  (Salvin). 

This  species  was  found  only  in  the  cypress  region  above  9,000  feet. 

*Bull.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  No.  50,  part  II,  p.  749- 
**Biologia  Central!  Americana,  Aves,  vol.  I,  p.  177- 


132  FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY— ORNITHOLOGY,  VOL.  I. 

It  is  exceedingly  active,  so  much  so  that  it  is  rather  difficult  to  obtain. 
It  frequents  thickets  of  young  cypress  and  shrubbery  of  various  sorts. 
Eight  specimens  were  secured.  Iris  dark  brown. 


Family  Mimidae. 

281.  Mimus  gilvus  guatemalensis  Ridgway. 

One  specimen  was  collected  at  Lake  Atitlan,  the  only  locality 
where  this  species  was  found,  and  it  was  not  common  there. 

282.  Galeoscoptes  carolinensis  (Linn&us}. 

Catbirds  were  common  at  Belize  and  at  Los  Amates.  None  were 
observed  outside  the  low,  wet  tierra  caliente  of  the  Atlantic  side  of 
the  country.  In  the  almost  impenetrable  thickets  of  that  region, 
the  collector  rarely  knows  what  he  is  shooting  at,  and  as  a  rule  it  does 
not  matter,  but  if  he  hails  from  the  north,  he  very  soon  becomes 
tired  of  picking  up  catbirds.  Two  specimens  were  brought  home, 
both  from  Los  Amates,  one  collected  in  January  and  the  other  April 
ist,  both  in  excellent  plumage. 

283.  Melanotis  hypoleucus  Hartlaub. 

This  fine  mocker  was  found  between  5,000  feet  and  6,500  feet,  along 
the  road  from  Lake  Atitlan  to  Tecpam.  It  frequents  the  thick  bushes 
which  grow  in  water-courses,  and  acts  in  general  like  the  more  familiar 
members  of  its  family, —  the  catbird,  mockingbird  and  thrasher. 
Three  specimens  were  collected.  Iris  dark  brown. 


Family    Troglodytidse. 

284.  Heleodytes  capistratus  (Lesson). 

Seven  specimens  were  collected,  the  localities  represented  being 
El  Rancho,  Lake  Amatitlan,  Patulul  and  San  Jose.  The  Patulul  and 
San  Jose"  specimens  differ  from  those  from  El  Rancho  in  having  the 
back  darker  and  without  the  obscure  bars  more  or  less  observable  on 
all  the  birds  from  the  latter  place.  Evidently  they  are  intermediates 
between  H.  c.  capistratus  and  H.  c.  nigricaudatus :  Several  nests  were 
found  in  the  course  of  construction  as  early  as  February  i5th,  but  so 
far  as  could  be  judged  they  were  built  in  response  to  an  instinct  for 


Nov.  1907.        BIRDS  FROM  GUATEMALA  — DEARBORN.  133 

nest  building  developed  long  past  the  needs  of  procreation,  rather  than 
for  immediate  occupancy  by  eggs.  This  wren  was  usually  found  in 
hedges  away  from  the  woods.  It  is  a  very  good  singer.  Iris  reddish 
brown. 

285.  Heleodytes  zonatus  (Lesson). 

This  species  was  first  seen  at  Lake  Amatitlan  where  two  specimens 
were  taken.  Four  were  taken  at  Lake  Atitlan,  one  at  6,500  feet, 
between  there  and  Tecpam,  and  two  at  8,400  feet,  near  the  last  named 
town.  Its  vertical  distribution  almost  exactly  supplements  that  of 
H.  capistratus,  which  was  not  found  higher  than  Lake  Amatitlan. 
These  wrens  were  for  the  most  part  in  trees  in  gorges,  though  at  Lake 
Atitlan,  wheie  they  were  quite  numerous,  they  were  in  a  small  coffee 
plantation,  hedged  in  between  the  mountains  and  the  lake.  Their 
ordinary  notes  are  harsh  and  unpleasant.  Iris  hazel. 

286.  Pheugopedius  maculatus  umbrinus  (Ridgway). 

Two  specimens  were  taken  at  Los  Amates,  one  at  Izabel,  one  at 
Patulul  and  one  at  San  Jose*.  Iris  brown. 

287.  Troglodytes  musculus  hypaedon  (Sclater}. 

This  wren  was  found  at  Los  Amates,  where  one  came  daily  to  the 
so-called  "hotel"  and  took  a  look  into  each  room  as  it  made  its  way 
along  the  plate,  singing  and  catching  lively  tenants  of  the  hostelry. 
The  good  offices  of  this  bird  were  so  highly  appreciated  that  no  at- 
tempt was  made  to  make  a  skin  of  it.  One  was  taken  at  Lake  Ama- 
titlan, in  some  tall  grass  at  the  edge  of  a  field,  and  another  at  6,500 
feet,  on  the  way  from  Lake  Atitlan  to  Tecpam.  Others  were  seen 
in  the  cypress  forest,  at  9,500  feet  near  Tecpam.  There  is  a  decided 
difference  in  the  color  of  the  upper  parts  of  these  two  specimens,  the 
Amatitlan  bird  being  much  the  darker;  but  this  difference  is  probably 
due  to  environment,  .the  dark  one  coming  from  a  moist  situation 
covered  with  green  vegetation,  while  the  other  came  from  a  mountain 
side,  which  during  the  dry  season  has  but  little  verdure.  This  pale 
specimen  is  even  lighter  than  interrnedius  from  Costa  Rica.  The  under 
parts  of  these  two  specimens  are  quite  similarly  colored.  Iris  dark 
brown. 

288.  Henicorhina  prostheleuca  (Sclater). 

Two  were  collected  at  Los  Amates  and  five  at  Patulul.  All  were 
found  in  moist  dark  woods.  Iris  dark  brown. 


134  FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ORNITHOLOGY,  VOL.  I. 

289.  Thryophilus   modestus  (Cabanis). 

This  species  was  more  'common  on  the  Pacific  side,  near  the  coast, 
than  in  the  interior.  Ten  specimens  were  collected,-- Gualan,  Lake 
Atitlan,  Lake  Amatitlan,  Patulul  and  San  Jose"  being  the  localities. 
These  specimens  show  decided  individual  variation  as  to  color  and 
distinctness  of  barring  on  the  tail.  The  wings  and  the  tails  of  this 
series  average  slightly  less  than  those  of  Costa  Rican  specimens.  As 
to  color,  in  this  series  of  ten  there  are  specimens  that  are  lighter  than 
the  three  adult  examples  from  Costa  Rica  in  this  Museum,  and  others 
that  are  darker;  while  some  have  the  dark  tail-bars  more  distinct, 
and  some  less  distinct  than  those  from  Costa  Rica.  Iris  dark  brown. 

290.  Thryophilus  rufalbus  (Lafresnay) . 

Two  were  secured  at'Mazatenango,  the  only  locality  where  any 
were  seen.  Iris  dark  brown. 

291.  Thryophilus  pleurostictus  (Sclater}. 

A  single  specimen  was  collected  at  Gualan.     Iris  dark  brown. 


Family  Certhiidse. 

292.  Certhia  familiaris  alticola  Miller. 

Mr.  Barber  collected  one  specimen  at  9,500  feet,  near  Tecpam. 


Family  Paridae. 

293.  Psaltriparus  melanotis  (Hartlaub). 

Four  specimens  were  collected  in  the  highlands  between  Lake 
Atitlan  and  Tecpam  at  5,000  to  6,500  feet.  None  were  seen  below 
this  elevation. 


Family  Sylviidre. 

294.  Regulus  satrapa  clarus  subsp.  nov. 

Type  No.  23,270,  cT  ad..  Field  Museum  of  Natural  History;  col- 
lected on  Sierra  Santa  Elena,  at  altitude  9,500  feet,  near  Tecpam, 
Guatemala,  by  N.  Dearborn,  April  i3th,  1906. 


Nov.  1907.        BIRDS  FROM  GUATEMALA — DEARBORN.  135 

Subspecific  characters:  Similar  to  R.  s.  olivaceous  but  having  the 
olive-green  of  the  upper  parts  distinctly  brighter  green,  and  the  gray 
nuchal  collar  not  more  than  half  as  wide. 

Description  of  type:  Interscapulum,  rump  and  edgings  of  wing 
and  tail  feathers  bright  olive-green;  median  area  of  pileum  cadmium- 
orange,  bounded  anteriorly  and  laterally  by  a  line  of  lemon-yellow; 
which  in  turn,  is  bounded  anteriorly  and  laterally  by  a  line  of  black; 
and  this,  again,  is  bounded  anteriorly  and  laterally  by  a  line  of  white, 
which  covers  the  frontal  and  superciliary  areas.  Ocular  and  malar 
areas  dusky,  separated  by  a  narrow  white  line.  Sides  of  head  and 
cervix  olive-gray.  Underparts  smoke-gray,  abdomen  and  under  tail 
coverts  slightly  paler  than  the  breast  and  throat.  Wing  54  mm.; 
tail  40  mm.;  exposed  culmen  8  mm.;  taisus  18  mm.  Greater  wing 
coverts  tipped  with  pale  buff. 

Adult  female:  Colored  like  male  except  central  line  of  pileum 
which  is  entirely  lemon- yellow.  Wing  52  mm. ;  tail  37  mm. ;  exposed 
culmen  8  mm.;  tarsus  17  mm. 

Remarks:  This  form  is  as  much  brighter  colored  than  R.  s.  oliva- 
ceous as  that  form  is  brighter  than  R.  s.  satrapa;  and  the  gray  collar, 
which  on  s.  satrapa  invades  the  interscapulum,  and  grades  so  gradually 
into  the  olive-green  of  the  rump  that  the  back  shows  as  much  gray 
as  it  does  olive-green ;  and  which  in  s.  olivaceous  reaches  well  on  to  the 
interscapulum  where  it  ends  more  abruptly;  in  clarus  does  not  reach 
the  interscapulum  at  all,  the  bright  olive-green  extending  clear  up 
over  the  shoulders.  Through  the  kindness  of  Dr.  Allen  of  the  Ameri- 
can Museum  of  Natural  History  I  have  been  able  to  compare  these 
Guatemalan  specimens  with  the  specimen  named  aztecus  Ridgway, 
from  Mexico  City,  in  the  Lawrence  collection,  which  is  apparently 
only  an  unusually  dark  example  of  olivaceous,  and  less  like  these  than 
is  the  usual  type  of  olivaceous.  Three  specimens  were  collected;  a 
male,  January  2d,  and  a  male  and  female  April  i3th.  They  were 
among  second  growth  cypress  at  altitude  9,500  feet,  and  considering 
the  dates,  were  probably  residents.  At  all  events  the  character  of 
the  timber  land  is  precisely  such  as  this  species  ordinarily  selects  to 
breed  in. 


295.   Polioptila  caerulea  mexicana  Ridgujay. 

This  gnat-catcher  is  apparently  restricted  to  the  low  country. 
Two  specimens,  both  females,  were  taken, —  one  at  Los  Amates 
January  3ist,  and  the  other  at  San  Jose"  March  7th.  This  last  bird 


136  FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY — ORNITHOLOGY,  VOL.  I. 

was  near  the  end  of  a  spring  moult  involving  nearly  all  the  body 
plumage.     Iris  dark  brown. 

296.  Polioptila  albiloris  Sclater  &  Salvin. 

White-lored  gnat-catchers  were  common  at  El  Rancho,  where  five 
were  collected.  One  was  also  taken  at  Gualan.  They  were  found 
among  the  leafless  hillside  shrubbery,  usually  in  pairs.  Iris  dark 
brown. 


Family  Turdidse. 

297.  Hylocichla  ustulata  Nuttall. 

One  was  taken  at  Los  Amates  January  3ist,  four  at  Mazatenango 
March  i6th  —  2oth,  and  six  at  Patulul  March  3ist  —  April  3d.  This 
species  was  abundant  in  the  last  two  localities  and  appeared  to  be 
migrating.  The  one  collected  at  Los  Amates  was  the  only  one  seen 
on  the  east  side  of  the  divide.  None  were  moulting.  Iris  dark  brown. 

298.  Hylocichla  guttata  auduboni  (Baird). 

One  specimen  was  collected  near  Tecpam,  January  ist,  by  Mr. 
Barber. 

299.  Planesticus  grayi  Bonaparte,  and 

300.  Planesticus  grayi  tamaulipensis  Nelson. 

Fourteen  specimens:     Los  Amates  three;   El  Rancho  four;   Lake 
Amatitlan  one;    Lake  Atitlan  three;    San  Jos<§  one;    Mazatenango 
two.     Three  of  those  from   El   Rancho  are  indistinguishable  from] 
examples  of  P.  g.  tamaulipensis  taken  near  Tampico.     All  of  the 
others  are  darker  beneath.     The  type  of  grayi  came  from  Guatemala, 
probably  from  the  Pacific  coast  region,  inasmuch  as  Colonel  Velasquez  » 
de  Leon,  who  made  the  collection  reviewed  by  Bonaparte  in  the 
Proceedings  of  the  Zoological  Society  for  1837   (pp.   114-119),  where  | 
grayi  was  first  described,  was  in  the  country  but  a  fortnight,  and 
several  of  his  birds  are  restricted  to  that  region. 

As  to  the  distribution  of  the  pale  and  dark  forms:  the  pale  one, 
tamaulipensis,  originally  described  by  Nelson*  from  Tamaulipas,  and 
later  extended  by  Hellmayer**  to  Yucatan  and  the  islands  Cozumel, 
Mugeres  and  Meco,  evidently  occurs  in  the  dry  tierra  templada  region 

*Auk,  1897,  p.  75. 
**J.  f.  O.  1902,  p.  50. 


Nov.  1907.       BIRDS  FROM  GUATEMALA — DEARBORN.  137 

of  Guatemala,  between  the  Cordillera  and  the  Atlantic  lowlands,  and 
also  in  the  similar  region  of  western  Nicaragua.  Eight  specimens 
from  Nicaragua  in  this  Museum,  six  from  San  Geronomo,  Chinandega, 
one  from  San  Rafael  and  one  from  San  Emilis,  Lake  Nicaragua,  are 
all  indistinguishable  from  Tampico  specimens  taken  in  the  same 
month  —  April.  This  thrush  frequents  trees  about  cultivated  land, 
and  in  March  and  April  its  song  was  heard  daily  on  the  plantations. 
None  were  seen  above  5,000  feet.  In  the  dry  regions  they  were  found 
only  along  streams  where  trees  retain  their  foliage  the  year  round. 
Iris  brown;  bill  yellowish  green. 

301.  Planesticus  tristis  leucauchen  Sclater. 

Two  specimens  were  taken  at  Los  Amates  late  in  January.  They 
are  not  quite  typical  as  to  color,  being  more  olive  above,  less  cinereous, 
than  specimens  from  Vera  Paz  and  western  Belize,  where  the  ashy 
phase  of  tristis  seems  to  culminate.  It  may  not  be  out  of  place  here 
to  call  attention  to  the  fact  that  there  is  a  skin  in  this  Museum  ex 
Boucard,  collected  in  Guatemala,  which  agrees  exactly,  as  to  color, 
with  a  topotype  (*)  of  cnephosa  Bangs  and  is  even  smaller. 

In  his  original  description  of  cnephosa,  Mr.  Bangs  makes  "smaller 
and  darker"  the  characters  that  distinguish  it  from  leucauchen  of 
Guatemala.  As  a  matter  of  fact  typical  leucauchen  is  darker  than  cne- 
phosa, ("Supra  nigricanti-cinereus" —  Sclater) .  There  is,  indeed,  little 
to  choose  between  leucauchen  and  cnephosa  as  a  name  for  Los  Amates 
specimens,  and  it  may  yet  turn  out  that  the  latter  name  is  applica- 
ble to  them.  This  bird  was  found  only  in  the  dense  woods,  where  it 
was  apparently  not  at  all  common.  Iris  brown;  bill  straw-color; 
eye-ring  yellow;  feet  pale. 

302.  Planesticus  tristis  rubicundus  subsp.  nov. 

Type  No.  23,292  ?  ad.,  Field  Museum  of  Natural  History;  collected 
at  Patulul,  Solola,  Guatemala,  March  3oth,  1907. 

Subspecific  characters:  Similar  to  tristis  assimilis  but  more 
ferruginous  above,  and  with  wings  and  tail  much  darker. 

Description  of  type:  Interscapulum  a  rusty  tone  of  mummy 
brown,  gradually  turning  to  bistre  on  the  crown  and  auriculars  and 
to  olive  on  the  upper  tail  coverts;  primaries  and  rectrices  sooty,  edged 
with  sepia;  wing  coverts  and  exposed  portions  of  secondaries  bistre. 
Gular  area  streaked,  black  and  white,  jugulum  and  abdomen  white; 
breast,  sides  and  thighs  broccoli  brown;  under  tail  coverts  with 

*No.  188,582  U.  S.  National  Museum. 


138  FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY— ORNITHOLOGY,  VOL.  I. 


basal  half  hair  brown  and  tip  white.  Wing  119  mm.;  tail  95  mm.; 
exposed  culmen  19  mm.;  tarsus  28  mm.  Iris  dark  brown. 

Remarks:  This  is  a  reddish  brown  form  decidedly  different  from 
the  slaty  form  of  Vera  Paz  and  western  Belize;  and  readily  distin- 
guishable from  the  olive-brown  Mexican  forms,  t.  tristis  and  /.  assimilis. 
A  single  specimen,  the  only  one  observed,  was  collected  in  thick 
woods  near  Patulul. 

The  appended  map  showing  the  distribution  of  the  subspecies  of 
P.  tristis  was  made  according  to  specimens  in  this  Museum,  and  Prof. 
Ridgway's  latest  work.*  Localities  are  indicated  by  the  initial  of 
the  subspecies  found  there,  and  type  localities  by  a  circle  enclosing 
the  initial.  Assimilis,  tristis  and  rubicundus  are  brown  forms,  while 
leucauchen  and  cnephosa  are  olive  or  slaty.  It  here  appears  that 
rubicundus  is  separated  from  the  other  brown  forms  by  a  dark  olive 
race,  cnephosa.  Incidentally,  the  peculiar  relative  distribution  of 
leucauchen  and  cnephosa  indicates  the  need  of  further  study  to  ascer- 
tain the  exact  status  of  the  latter. 

303.  Planesticus  rufitorques  Hartlaub. 

Eleven  specimens  were  collected  between  6,500  feet  and  9,500  feet 
altitude,  near  Tecpam.  None  were  seen  below  6,500  feet.  The  man- 
ners and  song  of  this  species  are  almost  identical  with  those  of  P. 
migratoria  in  the  United  States.  Specimens  were  taken  in  December, 
January  and  April.  None  of  them  was  in  moult.  There  is  a  decided 
difference  in  the  color  of  the  abdomen  of  some  of  the  spring  males, 
which  indicates  that  this  area  is  the  last  to  become  clothed  in  adult 
plumage.  Iris  dark  brown;  bill  cadmium-yellow;  feet  gall-stone 
yellow. 

304.  Catharus  frantzii  alticola  Salvin  &  Godman. 

Four  were  collected  in  the  cypress  timber  near  the  summit  of 
Sierra  Santa  Elena  near  Tecpam.  This  species  was  not  seen  in  any 
other  locality.  Iris  dark  brown. 

305.  Sialia  sialis  guatemalae  Ridgway. 

The  bluebird  of  Guatemala  was  first  seen  in  the  environs  of  Guate- 
mala City.  From  that  altitude, —  about  5 ,000  feet  —  up  to  about  9 ,000 
feet,  it  was  not  uncommon  in  cultivated  districts.  Two  specimens 
were  secured,  both  near  Tecpam.  Iris  dark  brown. 

*Bulletin  of  the  U.  S.  National  Museum  No.  50,  part  IV,  pp.  108-112. 


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